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Planning commission unanimously approves Barking Bliss dog daycare, citing sound attenuation and proximity standards
Summary
The commission approved a use permit for Barking Bliss to operate a dog daycare, grooming and boarding facility at 24301 Muralins Boulevard. Staff said the suite is sound attenuated, the business proposes a maximum of 30 dogs and the nearest residence is 377 feet away; the application received substantial community support.
The Lake Forest Planning Commission unanimously approved a use permit on June 5 for Barking Bliss to operate a dog daycare, grooming and boarding facility at 24301 Muralins Boulevard in the Lake Forest Village Shopping Center.
Staff presented the project as a 3,924-square-foot suite configured for kennel use with sound attenuation, air conditioning and an animal-waste management plan. Sam Warra, the staff presenter, said the applicant proposed a maximum of 30 dogs and operating hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The staff report noted the nearest residence is about 377 feet from the proposed suite and that the business must obtain an Orange County Animal Care kennel license and required building permits before opening.
Why it matters: The Lake Forest municipal code defines a kennel as any nonresidential property keeping four or more dogs over four months old, so the proposed use requires a planning commission permit. The application includes a sound-attenuation plan and other conditions intended to limit noise and manage waste.
Community support: Staff said it had received 47 letters of support. Multiple speakers — many of them Barking Bliss customers — spoke at the hearing about positive experiences with the proprietor, describing regular updates, individualized care for dogs with medical needs and reliable short-notice service. Yasser, the proprietor, told the commission, “Barking Bliss is nothing without the community,” and described a word-of-mouth business built on customer relationships.
Staff recommended conditions of approval that include obtaining a kennel license from Orange County Animal Care and securing any required tenant-improvement building permits. Commissioners complimented the quantity of public support and found the proposal consistent with zoning and the general plan; the motion to approve passed unanimously.
What’s next: The proprietor must obtain a kennel license, complete required tenant improvements under permit and operate consistent with the approved plans and conditions; staff will verify compliance before operations begin.
