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Hayden planning commission approves boarding kennel permit for Happy Dogs for Life
Summary
The Hayden City Planning and Zoning Commission on May 5 approved a conditional use permit allowing Happy Dogs for Life LLC to add overnight boarding at its existing dog daycare and grooming facility at 782 W. Buckles Road, with conditions addressing sanitation, drainage and compliance with Hayden code.
The Hayden City Planning and Zoning Commission voted May 5 to approve a conditional use permit allowing Happy Dogs for Life LLC to operate an overnight boarding kennel at 782 West Buckles Road in a light-industrial zone.
The permit, PZE25-0031, allows boarding in addition to the business’s existing dog daycare, training and grooming operations. Planning staff recommended approval with conditions addressing kennel construction, drainage, wastewater controls and adherence to Hayden City code 11-2-4 and kennel standards in code section 4361. The motion passed on roll call with Commissioners Johnson, Erickson and Chair Taylor voting “aye.”
The applicants — co-owners Diana Burgess, Sydney Bird and Dr. Tanya Gable — told the commission the business is already operating daycare, grooming and training at the site and is seeking the permit to add boarding. Dr. Tanya Gable, a local veterinarian and co-owner, described the owners’ combined experience and said the boarding program will be integrated with daycare to reduce stress on boarded dogs. “If the dogs are happy, we’re happy,” Gable said.
Presenter Sydney Bird, who identified her address for the record, described the facility’s approach to socialization and daytime activities, saying the same enrichment used in daycare would reduce anxiety for boarded dogs. Bird said the owners expect to start with about eight or nine kennels and that the site could accommodate up to 27 kennels and still meet the county’s spacing rules, though they do not plan to immediately build to that maximum.
Planning staff and agency responses cited several conditions the commission attached to approval. Northern Lakes Fire Protection District indicated the site is acceptable but said building permits and occupancy will be reviewed at plan review with possible additional fire-related requirements. The Hayden City engineer requested hair traps for drains and an industrial wastewater treatment form before a certificate of occupancy; the Hayden Area Regional Sewer Board asked for an odor easement to be recorded.
Kootenai County animal control (Officer Osborne) inspected the facility and provided guidance on kennel dimensions, sanitation and cleanliness; staff summarized that inspections found no current issues with noise, odors or animal stress. Staff noted Hayden City code 4-3-6-1 (kennel requirements) must be followed, and that applicants may pursue administrative exceptions under code 11-1-8 if they propose alternatives to sloped kennel floors.
Commission discussion focused on common neighbor concerns: odor and noise. The applicants described cleaning protocols, raised kennel beds to limit overnight accidents, sealed disposal of waste bags, routine disinfecting and indoor sound-absorbing panels. Dr. Gable and Bird said boarding dogs will be supervised, outdoor evening yard time would be brief (to approximately 9 p.m.), and dogs would be kept indoors overnight. Gable said, “we don’t tolerate constant, prolonged, excessive, repetitive barking” and stressed dogs would be supervised while outside.
Staff noted the conditional use permit runs with the land: it remains on the parcel so long as the use continues; if the use ceases for more than a year the CUP lapses. Staff also said sewer cap fees have been allotted to the parcel; the city will review annual water usage and assess additional cap fees if usage increases. The commission’s approval included the staff-recommended conditions summarized in the staff report and the specific items discussed in agency comments.
Commissioners who spoke praised the applicants’ mitigation plans and the condition package. After the vote the chair thanked the applicants for their presentation and noted they could leave if they wished.
Votes at a glance
- Motion: Approve PZE25-0031 — Happy Dogs For Life LLC conditional use permit with staff-recommended conditions as amended. Mover/second: not specified on the record. Vote: Johnson — Aye; Erickson — Aye; Chair Taylor — Aye. Outcome: Approved (permit runs with the land).
