The Washington County Planning Commission recommended approval Thursday of a Conditional Use Permit allowing Gilman and Kristie Bittner to operate a commercial kennel on Tax Lot 84 in Section 7-17-12, subject to conditions including a maximum of 25 dogs, no onsite customers and a three-year review. The recommendation will be considered by the Washington County Board of Supervisors at its July 22, 2025 meeting. The applicants told the commission they currently have eight dogs, hold a state license, and expect to breed two litters per year (approximately two to six puppies per litter). Kristie Bittner said the dogs are not kept outside and that puppies are sold via a website and leave at about eight to 12 weeks. She described a waste-management system, a turfed exercise area enclosed by a 6-foot fence and an additional invisible fence as precautions. Planning & Zoning Administrator Shewchuk said he had received two emails from neighbors opposing the application after the Sparq notification was sent; copies were provided to commissioners. Several members of the public spoke during the hearing. Steve Schumacher asked how the county would monitor compliance; Sara Nolette and Jessica Quick opposed the permit citing potential noise and traffic; Steve Nolette asked about the revocation process and how long it would take. Shewchuk explained the complaint and enforcement process and reminded the commission that the applicants are allowed to keep eight dogs without a CUP. In commission action, Commissioner Lambrecht moved and Commissioner Hartzell seconded a recommendation of approval with a maximum of 25 dogs; that motion provided the base for later amendments. Chairman Mathiesen and Commissioner Taylor proposed an amendment to add multiple restrictions — including no non-owned dogs, no grooming, no boarding, no onsite customers and an annual review for five years — but the amendment failed on a 3-3 vote (Anderson and Mathiesen voted yes; Hartzell, Lambrecht and Smith voted no; Taylor voted yes giving a tie). Commissioners then successfully amended the recommendation to require no onsite customers and a three-year review (motion by Lambrecht, second by Smith), which passed 6-0. The final motion to recommend approval with a maximum of 25 dogs, no onsite customers and a three-year review passed 6-0 (Anderson: Aye; Hartzell: Aye; Lambrecht: Aye; Mathiesen: Aye; Smith: Aye; Taylor: Aye). The transcript records no on-the-record decision about revocation timelines beyond staff’s explanation of the complaint process; any enforcement or revocation would follow county procedures and subsequent action by the Board of Supervisors.