November 20, 2009

The regular meeting of the Development Advisory Committee was held on November 20, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. in the Porter County Administration Center, 155 Indiana Avenue, Valparaiso, Indiana.

Those members present were Kevin Breitzke, Harvey Nix, Tim Cole, Joey Larr, Mike Haller and Ray Joseph.  Also present were Fred Siminski and Toni Byers.

The following case was heard by the Committee on this date:

Case 09-UV-20.  Pre-BZA review for Teri Gray for an indoor and outdoor dog training facility at Sturdy and Division Roads, at the current Canine Country Club.

Ms. Gray stated that she is the petitioner in this matter.  She stated that they just want to knock down one of their existing buildings and put up a closed pole building so that they can hold training classes inside in the winter and the rainy season.

Mr. Nix asked if the existing building is going to be completely removed and the new one erected in that area.

Ms. Gray stated, yes.  It will be the same length and about twice as wide.

Mr. Larr asked, being a public building where they’re going to have customers coming in and out, is there going to be a restroom?

Ms. Gray stated that they don’t plan to.

Mr. Larr asked if they are mandated to have those kinds of things, being a public building – sprinkled and bathrooms.

Ms. Gray stated that she doesn’t know.  They have no bathroom at the dog park because they want to keep people coming and going.  Classes are set up so they’re an hour at the most and just a  couple days a week, so she hopes they don’t have to have a bathroom.

Mr. Larr asked if their clientele list is pretty stable.

Ms. Gray stated that it is; there is a little turnover.  Classes are offered to the general public, as well.  The class size is always no larger than 10 per hour.

Mr. Larr asked if she anticipates more customers, if the building is expanded.

Mr. Gray stated, not necessarily, because they don’t plan to use it for dog park activities, just for the training classes.

Mr. Larr asked if she lives on the grounds.

Ms. Gray stated that they do.

Mr. Joseph asked if they are going to add parking.

Ms. Gray stated, no, it’s been adequate.

Mr. Breitzke asked for the size of the building.

Ms. Gray stated that it will be 20 by 25 by 50 and open-sided.

Mr. Breitzke stated that they should watch erosion carefully as there are lots of issues to the South.  What do they do with the dog waste?

Ms. Gray stated that it's gathered in biodegradable poop bags which are collected once a week and then go to the trash.   They have a person who comes around once a week, and people pick up after their own dogs.

Mr. Breitzke stated that that’s important because of issues with water quality.

Mr. Haller asked if the area is fenced.

Ms. Gray stated that there is a 6-foot chain-link fence around the property and then a 4-foot fence around the training area.

Mr. Haller asked what fire department responds here.

Ms. Gray stated, Valparaiso.

Mr. Haller asked if there is a hydrant.

Ms. Gray stated that there is one in Prairie Ridge, across the road.

Mr. Haller asked who they’ve hired to build and do the drawings.

Ms. Gray stated that Burr Construction is interested.

Mr. Haller stated that the building must be insulated, they must have a bathroom and it must be made ADA-accessible.  There are state regulations regarding fire protection.

Mr. Cole stated that he admires the project, but they should progress cautiously, bearing in mind the possibility of future adjacent development.   He wonders if this is for a Permanent or Temporary Use Variance.

Mr. Joseph stated that it’s u to the BZA, just as it is if it should go to the Plan Commission or DLZ.

Mr. Cole asked if the property to the South is zoned AG.

Mr. Joseph stated, just to the East.  The rest is zoned R-1.

Mr. Cole asked if the fence is set back enough from Division Road.

Ms. Gray stated that it must be.

Mr. Cole stated that she might want to look into additional dedication.  He stated that a topo and drainage map would be helpful.

Mr. Joseph stated that he asked the contractor to submit drawings to the members at least 1 week prior to the meeting.

Issues raised were to watch erosion control; drawing/blueprint of the building; buildings must be ADA-accessible and insulated and have a bathroom; suggest a topo and drainage map.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 a.m.