Commission approves rezone and conditional use for dog kennel with on‑sale concessions at Marlin Drive park; staff required noise and odor mitigations

The Planning Commission on May 22 approved a pair of linked applications — a rezone and a conditional use permit — to allow a mixed dog‑care operation at 2512 Marlin Drive that combines an overnight/daycare kennel and a separate on‑sale concessions area.

Proposal in brief - Zoning: The applicant requested rezoning of the rear portion of the lot to Light Industrial (to allow kenneling) while keeping the street‑facing portion General Commercial (to allow an on‑sale concession area and retail). - Uses: The project will provide overnight boarding and daycare for dogs, grooming, retail and a small concessions/lounge area with a separated indoor/outdoor concession patio for social events. The kennel area includes multiple fenced outdoor runs and interior kennels; applicants estimated peak simultaneous attendance in drop‑off/pick‑up windows of 45–60 people and a maximum kennel inventory of roughly 140 animals across daycare and overnight operations.

Staff analysis and mitigation - Parking: Staff and the applicant worked through parking calculations using a combination of standard rates for commercial activities and operational assumptions for kennel drop‑off volume; staff found the submitted parking plan sufficient for the combined uses and ADA requirements were met. - Noise and odor: Staff noted residential properties on higher ground with potential sightlines to the site. The applicant provided an operational plan that includes interior soundproofing, opaque wood fences around outdoor runs, turf with engineered subsurface drainage to reduce odor, limiting outdoor group sizes, and protocols to manage dog temperament and training to minimize barking. The applicant also proposed limited outdoor hours for runs and motion sensors for overnight alerts.

Applicant and public testimony - Gary Westmark (consultant/attorney for the project) and the applicant said they had consulted experienced kennel operators and planned construction details intended to reduce noise and odor. Westmark noted operators with similar facilities in other South Dakota cities report minimal complaints when best practices are followed.

Action and next steps - Motion: Commissioner Mike (recorded in the minutes as the mover) made a motion to approve the rezone and conditional use permit together; Commissioner Vince seconded. The commission approved both items with staff stipulations regarding landscaping, fencing, building orientation and operational controls to reduce noise and odor impacts. - Conditions: The approval requires adherence to the submitted operational plan, a final site and drainage plan, and compliance with standard building and health codes; staff reserved the right to require additional mitigation if complaints or measurable impacts arise.

Ending: Commissioners and staff emphasized that the rezone inserts a light industrial parcel into a largely general‑commercial string to accommodate the kennel use, and they noted that future adjacent development should account for the kennel’s presence. The developer may proceed with permitting consistent with the approved plans and stipulations.