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Jefferson County Board OKs special exception for home kennel
Summary
The Jefferson County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a special exception allowing an applicant to operate a small boarding and training kennel at an agriculturally zoned residence, with a limit of eight dogs and no new structures added to the property.
The Jefferson County Board of Zoning Appeals on an unanimous voice vote approved a special exception permitting a family-run kennel to operate at an agriculturally zoned residence.
Taylor Harson, who spoke for her mother, Amanda Harson, told the board the business is a small, family-owned kennel used for boarding and training. "It's boarding. Boarding. Training," Taylor Harson said. She said the operation keeps a maximum of eight dogs at a time and uses existing facilities on the property.
The application asked either to rezone the property or obtain a special exception so the kennel could continue operating. The applicant and board repeatedly treated the request as a special exception under the county's development rules. The applicant said there are three kennels in an attached garage and three kennels in a detached garage on the property and that no new structures had been added for the business.
During the hearing, a county representative read the board's standard findings for special exceptions from the Unified Development Ordinance, asking the board to confirm that the use would not be detrimental to public health, safety or welfare, would not injure nearby property uses, would not impede orderly development, and that utilities, access and drainage are adequate. The board answered "true" or affirmed each finding during that reading.
A motion to approve the special exception was made, received a second, and was approved by voice vote. The board chair told the applicant to follow up with the county office to complete paperwork and permits necessary to finalize the approval.
The board did not identify any conditions attached to the approval during the public hearing. The applicant said typical stays at the kennel are short term—usually up to a week—and she noted occasional longer stays when owners are away for two weeks. The board gave no further public conditions and closed the item after the vote.
Next steps for the applicant are to file the approved paperwork with the county office as instructed by the board.
