SLEEPY EYE — The Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously denied a request for a conditional use permit for dog boarding at 421 2nd Ave. S.E. Tuesday.

The denial came on a motion by Councilor Doug Pelzel, seconded by Councilor Joann Schmidt. Pelzel said approval would have set a new precedent for an existing ordinance that allows only two dogs in a household.

The vote reversed the Sleepy Eye Planning Commission’s approval of Rose Martinka’s request by a 3-2 vote July 9. Martinka asked to operate a residential boarding business for up to 10 dogs in an attached heated garage seven days a week, with drop-off and pick-up times between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

A number of residents told of the virtues of Martinka’s business in the countryside and the need for her services. A number of residents waited outside the city building before they were allowed to enter one at a time and voice their opinion.

“I’m totally against it,” said Jason Mattis. “It’s a residential area. I have two dogs myself. Dogs are dogs. They bark. I don’t need that. It will lower property values.”

Mary Mulry said dogs have a keen sense of smell and can sense people far off and that she bought her house because it was in a quiet, residential neighborhood.

City Manager Bob Elston read a letter from another resident who said a dog boarding business belongs out of the city.

The city council unanimously approved:

* Denying Craig Murphy’s request to replace an unpaved alley with a walkway and grass. The alley is now between 2nd and 3rd Avenue N.W., east of Sleepy Eye Lake.

Action came on a motion by Pelzel, seconded by Schmidt.

* Allowing the owner of the former Ben Franklin store on Main Street to pay off the remaining Small Cities Development Program loan amount of nearly $4,000 and forgive the remaining loan amount so the building can be sold. Elston said the building improvements were made.

* Allowing the Sleepy Eye Servicemen’s Club to host a street dance on First Avenue on Friday, Sept. 11, motion by Councilor Nate Stevermer, seconded by Pelzel.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.