Council postpones zoning changes for boarding kennels and veterinary facilities after business owners warn of hardship

Hudson City Council voted to postpone Ordinance 25-92, which would amend chapters 1205 and 1206 of the land development code regulating boarding kennels and veterinary facilities, to a date certain of Sept. 16, 2025. The postponement followed public comment from local business owners and staff requests for additional legal and process review.

Dan Bestick, owner of the Veterinary Center of Hudson, Bed and Bark, and Dogs With Style, told council he purchased property in District 2 because it allowed multiple commercial uses, including veterinary services, and said he relied on city staff guidance when investing in a conditional-use application earlier this year. Bestick said the proposed change would impose a 500-foot setback for veterinary services in District 7 and remove animal-related uses from parcels like his in District 2, threatening existing investments. He asked council to "establish a small business transition fund" or reimburse engineering and site-plan costs; he also characterized the change as akin to "a partial taking."

Council members discussed scheduling and legal follow-up. The city solicitor told council the office requested the Sept. 16 date to address process questions; councilors said the change under discussion was not intended to be arbitrary but wanted one workshop for refinements. Council President Foster referenced U.S. Supreme Court-era land-use precedent (Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty) to argue the proposed zoning changes are within municipal authority when related to general welfare.

The motion to postpone the ordinance to Sept. 16 passed unanimously by voice/roll-call. Staff and council indicated they will continue work with the solicitor's office and stakeholders to refine language and address property-owner concerns before the next hearing.

What happens next: the item will return to council on Sept. 16, 2025, for further discussion; staff and the legal office will prepare amendments and process clarifications in the interim.