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Cheryl Keenan is not about to go to work without her dog, Mya, so she is saying goodbye to the Venice Centre Mall.
The Venice Center Mall board of directors voted not to accept her application to allow pets in her pet accessory shop, Paw Print Essentials.
The special exception her landlord, Herron Realty, presented to the board with her rental application six months ago was denied. The board determined that to bring any animal into commercial unit No. 17B would be in violation of the association's by-laws.
"Basically, they are severely limiting my ability to generate income," said Keenan.
Lee Ball, VCM association treasurer and a clothing store owner in the mall, tried to change the mall's pet policy. She got a sample vote of the owners to show the board that there was interest in making the building pet-friendly. Her efforts did not sit well with the board.
"Each association has a provision in their documents where owners can petition the board of directors to amend the documents of the association." Jim Kraut, mall association director wrote in an e-mail to the Venice Gondolier Sun.
He wrote that Ball could look at the documents, determine what the percentage for approval is and then write a petition, as an owner, to submit in writing to the board.
He also said that there would have to be an owner's meeting after proper notice, and all owners would be sent a proxy ballot to vote in favor of or against an amendment to allow pets within the association.
"No one ever said that this petition would prevent an eviction," he wrote.
Kraut wrote that Ball acted without the authority of the board.
After the board vote, Keenan asked to be released from her lease with Herron Realty.
It may be too late for Paw Print Essentials, but Ball said that at the next board meeting the board is going to have an attorney look at the wording of the building's pet policy before presenting any amendment to the 63 owners for a vote.
According to Ball, the wording currently states that no pets be allowed in the apartments of the Venice Centre Association. There is no mention of commercial units.
The board will be checking with the association's attorney to find out how to change the wording of the association pet policy.
Keenan is currently looking for another location for her shop.
"I can't blame her for leaving," Ball said. "Telling Cheryl that she is not allowed pets in her store is like telling me I can't have children in mine."
http://www.venicegondolier.com/Newsstory.cfm?pubdate=061707&story=vn2.htm&folder=NewsArchive3
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