Commission approves cat-only boarding use with operational conditions at Clayton–Strecker center

The City of Wildwood Planning and Zoning Commission on March 3 approved an amendment to the site-specific governing ordinance for the commercial center at Clayton and Strecker Roads to permit a luxury cat-boarding facility limited to cats only.

Why it matters: the change allows a tenant to occupy a currently vacant commercial unit for cat boarding but includes specific conditions intended to ensure the operation remains indoor-only and minimizes impacts on adjacent tenants and residences.

Staff described the site-area history and said the amended CA (C-1 neighborhood business type) district at the Clayton–Strecker intersection was intended for low-intensity, neighborhood-serving uses that present a residential character. The petitioner, Jane Budnick (Cattails Lodge), proposed up to 42 cats, indoor-only boarding, grooming limited to boarded cats and measures for odor control and interior air purification; any mechanicals and sound abatement measures must be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission as part of the approval process.

Commissioners discussed the risk of the broader term “kennel.” Mr. Vunich and other staff said the ordinance language and associated conditions will specify a “cat kenneling facility” (wording intended to limit the use to cats). Mr. Vunich said the department would not have recommended approval had the petitioner proposed dog boarding given dogs’ typical need for outdoor runs and the history of barking complaints at other facilities. He said the recommended conditions include limits on the number of cats (up to 42), minimum floor-space per animal, licensing consistent with county/state requirements and required odor-control and interior air-purification systems.

Commissioner Jackson moved to approve the department’s recommendation as drafted; Commissioner Clayton seconded. The roll-call vote recorded yes by Commissioners Clayton, Deppler, Jackson, Rubis, Boren, Humphrey, Cone, Chair Beatty, Council member Brost and Mayor Gaetano; motion carried. During discussion staff and the petitioner confirmed the facility will not be staffed 24 hours but the owner lives nearby and the operation will use monitoring cameras as needed. Mr. Vunich noted required parking for the facility is 29 spaces and the applicant is providing 29 spaces.

The department will forward the commission’s approval and recommended conditions to City Council for final action; staff said the commission will review any installed air-purification and odor-control systems as part of subsequent submittals.