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Wicomico Hunt Club seeks fox‑hound kennel license; county leaves record open for comment
Summary
The Wicomico Hunt Club presented a fox hunting club dog kennel license application and asked for temporary kennel permission; county staff recommended keeping the record open through the end of the week and scheduled a final vote for July 8.
The Wicomico Hunt Club asked Kent County commissioners to consider a fox hunting club dog kennel license and permission for a temporary kennel on a farm property, during a public hearing where the county voted to keep the record open for written comments through the end of the week.
The application, presented by Genevieve McFarland on behalf of the Wicomico Hunt Club, included a narrative, survey plat, materials showing setbacks, sound‑mitigation plans, waste management procedures and a request to operate a temporary location while improvements are made to a permanent kennel site. County staff told commissioners the application met the requirements of chapter 64, Animals, article 2, of the Kent County Code and recommended keeping the record open to allow additional public comment.
McFarland said the temporary kennel would allow the huntsman to be on site while concrete is poured for the permanent structure and described plans for soundproofing, tree plantings and using existing septic capacity. Ed Frey, identifying himself as the master of foxhounds, said the club has been licensed in other Maryland counties and follows inspection and best‑practice requirements. Dan O’Toole, a professional huntsman and club member, described acoustic fabric (mass‑loaded vinyl) and other measures intended to reduce noise for nearby neighbors.
The county clerk read the public notice, citing the local ordinance governing animal kennels, and staff said the record would remain open for written comments through the close of business Friday; the application was scheduled for final consideration by the commissioners on July 8. No members of the public spoke against the application at the hearing.
Commissioners and club representatives also discussed documentation showing membership or recognition by the Master of Foxhound Association; Frey said the club has paid membership and long standing recognition, but that routine written verification was not included with the packet. Staff noted the application remains subject to other approvals, including review by the Critical Area Commission scheduled for July 9.
The hearing closed after a motion to keep the record open until Friday, June 27, passed by voice vote.
