Commission recommends conditional use permit for Meadow Ridge Pet Lodge with quiet‑hours and construction conditions

The Pennington County Planning Commission on June 9 approved a conditional use permit for Meadow Ridge Pet Lodge, a proposed commercial dog and cat care facility that would offer daycare, boarding, grooming, training and limited owner amenities including a coffee bar and on‑site beer and wine sales.

Jason Thenison, Assistant Planning Director, said the site is about 1 mile northwest of Lamb Road and Old Folsom Road, is 13.32 acres and currently zoned agriculture. "The proposed capacity included in that business plan was up to 75 dogs for daycare, as well as 75 boarding kennels," Thenison said. He noted that the county highway department required an improved commercial approach as a condition.

Commissioners raised concerns about nighttime barking and the feasibility of proposed quiet‑hours conditions. Commissioner Charlie (last name not stated in the transcript) said, "When you get out in the countryside and you hear a dog bark you can hear them for miles... I don't think we're being realistic" about the proposed quiet hours. Thenison and applicant Justin Bolin told the commission the facility would include interior soundproofing and operational rules to limit nighttime outdoor activity. Bolin said the facility is basing its operations on other large facilities: "We're working with a lot of different pet facilities from across the country... The building is gonna be sound insulated, noise proofed... after, 8, 09:00 at night, dogs don't go outside... they don't have any actually noise issues at all." He added that dogs would be kept indoors during the quiet‑hours window and that industry practice shows that limits late‑night disturbance.

Thenison said staff recommended approval subject to conditions; the commission voted to approve conditional use permit COCU25‑0011 with 16 conditions, including an improved commercial approach, quiet‑hours restrictions and sound‑mitigation measures. Thenison also noted that interdepartmental review did not produce other objections and that the nearest residence is about 0.35 miles away from the site.

The permit moves to the Board of Commissioners for a final decision. The applicant and staff will need to satisfy the conditions – including highway approach improvements and any required building permits for soundproofing and facility construction – before operations may begin.