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<br /> JUN-1C!-l='S'-, 0'3:07 F?tJ~l COHEPT', ;our'ISlE SUTlEP TO ge,337835 r=,Q20J. <br /> . <br /> 2800 Minnesota \'Vorld Tradt;' C~nter <br /> 30 E<\st Sevll:'nth Street <br /> . Saint I'~ut, Minnesota 5~101-4999 Direct Dial: (612) 291-9421 <br /> June 10, 1994 BY TELECO~Y & U.S. MAIL <br /> Ms. Dorothy Person <br /> Arden Hills City Administrator <br /> 1450 West Hwy. 96 <br /> Arden Hills, MN 55112 <br /> Re: Arden Hills Ordinance On Exotic Animals <br /> Dear Ms. Person: <br /> I spoke with you last week regarding the possibility of <br /> implementing a variance procedure for the restrictions against <br /> "exotic animals" in Arden Hills. As I explained on Friday, I am <br /> currently shopping for a home and a long-time resident of Arden <br /> Hills has spoken very highly of the Arden Hills community. I have <br /> . found a home in Arden Hills that I am very interested in, however, <br /> I have a very special pet monkey who I have had for ten years. Due <br /> to the expansive language of the exotic animal ordinance, I would <br /> have to eliminate any possibility of making Arden Hills my home. <br /> Although the stated purpose of the ordinance is to provide for <br /> the health and safety of the community, the ordinance appears more <br /> expansive than it need be in order to meet the stated purpose. It <br /> does not appear to be reasonably tailored to meet the goal of <br /> health and safety. For example, my monkey, Casey, weighs <br /> approximately 4 1/2 lbs. and is smaller than many house cats. She <br /> is in good health and does not present a danger of transmitting <br /> diseases to people or other pets. Further, she doesn't bark or <br /> howl from a fence when in heat at night. She presents no more risk <br /> to health or safety than a small dog or cat. However, by the Arden <br /> Hills ordinance, she is classified with apes, gorillas, bears and <br /> badgers. Of course, there are some larger species of monkeys. <br /> casey, however, is fully grown and if she could speak would <br /> probably be offended to be put in the same class with apes, <br /> gorillas, bears and badgers. <br /> I fully appreciate the legitimate concern of Arden Hills for <br /> health and safety. In fact, the quality of the community is one of <br /> the features that appeals to me. I do not want dangerous animals <br /> running around my neighborhood either. However, the ordinance as <br /> . it currently stands, fails to recognize that there are some <br /> instances whereby an "exotic animal" presents less threat to others <br /> than a common dog or cat. Consequently, I request that the city <br />