Hebron dog discussion continues
By BRIAN SLUPSKI - bslupski@nwherald.com
HEBRON – When John Nixon moved to Hebron two years ago, he thought that he had done his homework.
Nixon owned three dogs and wanted to make sure that there would not be any problems.
“I asked about it,” Nixon said. “It was not something that anyone would have thought of.”
Nixon said that even though he bought his home from Village President Frank Beatty’s son, Zach, the dog issue never came up.
Nixon, like several dog owners, is concerned about a little-enforced, little-known zoning provision in Hebron that limits the number of dogs that can be owned to two per household. Any more than that is considered a kennel and cannot exist in a residential area.
The issue again will be discussed by the Village Board at its Committee of the Whole meeting Monday. No vote will be taken, but the board likely will try to reach a consensus on the contentious issue. A vote is expected to be taken at the board’s Oct. 19 meeting.
The dog ordinance discussion largely was triggered by Village Board member Susan Ritzert, who has a neighbor with four dogs. Ritzert has said that the dogs often barked, had been in her yard numerous times, and had trampled her garden. Ritzert has said that others in Hebron had similar complaints.
One of the problems the Village Board is trying to resolve is a conflict in its own ordinances. Although Hebron’s zoning ordinance effectively limits dog ownership to two, the village also adopted the McHenry County Animal Control ordinance that does not limit dog ownership to a specific number.
If Hebron officials decide to keep the limit to two and more vigorously enforce the requirement, it would be the most stringent in the county. Cary, Fox River Grove, Huntley, McCullom Lake and Wonder Lake all limit the number of dogs in a household to three.
Johnsburg, Lake in the Hills, Marengo and Algonquin limit it to four.
Alden, Bull Valley, Crystal Lake, Harvard, Island Lake, Lakemoor, McHenry, Richmond, Spring Grove and Woodstock have no limit.
Village Trustee Jim Kastner has proposed that Hebron change its definition of a kennel in its zoning ordinance. Kastner suggested that Hebron classify a commercial kennel and a private kennel. A private kennel could be in a residential area but would need a special-use permit.
“The advantage of a special-use permit is that it gives the neighbors a chance to comment on the request,” Kastner said, adding that after a public hearing, the village would have the option of denying the permit or approving it with restrictions.
Although Kastner’s idea received some support, board members did not agree on how many dogs would trigger the need for a special-use permit.
Nixon, who has three dogs, said he planned to attend the Monday meeting.
“I think they’re wasting taxpayer dollars because one person [Ritzert] has had a bad experience,” Nixon said.
What’s next
The Hebron Village Board’s Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at 12007 Prairie Ave.
