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Board approves Dancrest Farm kennel for MOC Beagles with conditions after wide public support
Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved a category 13 special exception allowing a minor kennel at Dancrest Farm for the Middleburg Orange County (MOC) Beagles, limiting the kennel to 14 dogs and restricting outdoor use hours and buffering; the decision followed numerous public speakers endorsing the relocation and a unanimous vote.
The Fauquier County Board of Supervisors voted Sept. 12 to approve a Category 13 special exception to allow a minor kennel at Dancrest (Dancrest/Daffdale Hill) Farm to house the Middleburg Orange County (MOC) Beagles, subject to conditions recommended by staff and the planning commission.
Planning staff explained the property is about 48 acres, zoned agricultural and partly under a Virginia Outdoors Foundation easement. The applicants requested approval for up to 14 dogs (12 associated with the MOC Beagles and two personal pets), to be housed in existing barn spaces with indoor stalls, outdoor runs and a fenced play area. Proposed conditions limit outdoor use to 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., require screening and confinement of animals when not in supervised training, set setbacks 100 feet from property lines as shown on exhibits, require waste removal to an authorized facility, and prohibit the kennel from expanding beyond boarding and training uses.
Multiple speakers representing the beagles and local residents urged approval. Hank Day, who identified himself as representing the Beagles, described the organization as a 501(c)(3) with long-standing educational and conservation goals and said the property has existing kennel facilities suited for the use. He told the board the applicants had worked with staff and supervisors to refine conditions. "We fully support the additional conditions," Day said, asking the board to consider the planning commission's unanimous recommendation. Other speakers, including Megan Gallagher, John Hanham, Claire Nichols, Dave Ford and Anita Annunucci, described the beagles as good neighbors, disputed significant noise impacts in prior locations, and highlighted educational and conservation benefits for children.
Staff noted receipt of 96 letters of support and 10 in opposition. After public comment the board adopted the alternate resolution (which narrows the use to the MOC beagles and adds screening requirements) and approved the special exception unanimously.
The decision includes monitoring conditions and explicit limits on hours, dog counts and confinement. The board invited attendees who testified in favor to depart if they wished following the vote.
