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Zoning subcommittee denies kennel permit for nine Yorkies at 55 Paul Ave after neighbor complaints and animal‑control findings
Summary
The subcommittee voted to deny a special permit for nine dogs at 55 Paul Avenue, citing neighbor opposition, documented complaints and animal control findings including two dogs with expired rabies vaccines and evidence of an unlicensed kennel.
The Zoning Subcommittee voted to deny a special permit request for a kennel license at 55 Paul Avenue after receiving written reports from health and animal control and hearing extended public comment that included neighbor testimony of ongoing noise and alleged day‑care activity.
The applicants, Antonetta and Wilson Matheson, requested permission to keep nine Yorkshire terriers at their home so they could be compliant with local licensing rules. Health Director Lisa Sanders told the subcommittee she inspected the property and found the dogs well cared for and the yard clean but noted she had received complaints from the neighbor directly behind the property about noise and alleged operating of a dog day care.
Animal control officer Thomas J. O'Connor recounted repeated contacts and investigations dating back to April 2024 and said the city sent a cease‑and‑desist in May 2025 for an unlicensed kennel. O'Connor reported that an inspection in July documented two dogs with expired rabies vaccinations and that a sign observed on the fence implied day‑care services (“love kisses, cuddles, spa, and day care”), which raised concerns about unlicensed boarding and increased traffic and turnover of animals.
A neighbor on Zoom, Tokyo Baldwin of 52 McCarthy Avenue, described two to three years of daily barking and alleged conduct she characterized as “weaponiz[ing] all of her dogs against my family,” and said she had filed police reports and photographs with city staff. The subcommittee heard other neighborhood opposition testimony and multiple written signatures opposing the rezoning at later items.
Several subcommittee members said they were not comfortable approving a kennel license in a tightly built residential neighborhood with continuing complaints and a history of animal control enforcement. Councilor DeBree said he would not “put nine dogs in an area” with small lots; other members cited the fence sign and prior cease‑and‑desist as grounds for concern.
After discussion, the subcommittee voted to deny the special permit. The chair read findings into the record referencing Chapter 275 (special permit criteria) and cited neighborhood opposition, potential for nuisance (noise and visual impacts), nonconformance with zoning expectations, and the history of enforcement and complaints. The motion passed on a roll call; the committee will forward the denial to the full City Council on Aug. 5.
The chair advised the applicants there is an appeal process and that they could reapply or pursue modifications, and that final action will be by the City Council.
— What the committee decided: the special permit to keep nine Yorkies at 55 Paul Avenue was denied by the zoning subcommittee and will be reported to the full City Council for its meeting on Aug. 5, 2025.
