9/5/2017 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 9-5-2017 Ms. Lentz said she wanted to address Council on its Ordinance regarding vicious and dangerous dogs. She said she believes breed specific legislation is wrong and it causes fear in animals that isn't deserved. She said the State of Ohio and her are in agreement on this issue. Ms. Lentz stated currently North Olmsted has breed specific legislation with strict restrictions for owners of several types of dogs. She listed the requirements of the Ordinance. She said in May of 2012 the State lifted its breed specific legislation as part of its vicious dog laws. She also noted with the exception of the breed specific language North Olmsted and Ohio law mirror each other. Ms. Lentz asked the City to lift its restrictions, specifically for pit bulls. She said the pit bull is defined as a people oriented dog and have earned the nickname of "nanny dogs." She said this breed is also one of the only breeds the Veteran Affairs Administration is training to use as service dogs for disabled veterans. Ms. Lentz stated she is a veteran who suffers from anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. She said she has been looking for one of these puppies she could train to be her service animal. She stated she found one last month at the Rescue Inn in North Olmsted. She said due to North Olmsted's Ordinance she was turned down as an adoptee. She said breed specific legislation not only hurts the dogs, but the families that love them as well and asks Council to update the Ordinance to match the State of Ohio's. The Mayor thanked Ms. Lentz for her service and opinion on this issue on behalf of himself and all of Council. Benjamin Lamb 23112 Summerland Avenue Mr. Lamb stated his driveway issue is continuing with the Building Department. He wrote a letter on August 2°d to the inspector requesting a nine month extension in order to consider his options with his driveway. He said he received a form letter granting a seven month extension. He said he talked with Mr. Russell, the Assistant Building Commissioner, in person. He said while the conversation was cordial, every statement or solution was rebuffed in a negative manner. Mr. Lamb asked about requesting a variance. He said he was told it was too late because one only has ten days from the original letter to request a variance. Mr. Lamb asked if that was stated on the letter and was told yes. He said he has all of his letters and cannot find it on any of them. Mr. Lamb said he sees his driveway as aesthetic, but the Building Department sees it as nonacceptable grass. He said to put in a paved driveway would be about four to five thousand dollars and is a financial burden on a financial retiree, who in thirty years never received a complaint about his driveway. James Snyder 23049 Summerland Avenue Mr. Snyder stated in August of 2006 a drunk driver hit him. He had all intentions of redoing his driveway and had the money saved up, but for the next three months he was F