Madison County panel approves conditional use permit for Bluegrass Dog Training to operate boarding kennel in rural Doylesville

The Madison County Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional use permit permitting Bluegrass Dog Training to operate a boarding and training kennel at 2618 Doylesville Road.

Arwin Price, the applicant, told the commission the seven‑acre agricultural property includes an existing garage he would convert into indoor runs and outdoor play yards. Price said his father, Scott Price, would complete the property purchase if the permit is granted and that daily customer drop‑offs and pickups would be handled out of the business’s Lexington location to reduce traffic to the rural site.

Commission staff cited zoning review criteria under the county’s zoning ordinance (Section 2.25) that allow kennel uses in agricultural zones as conditional uses when screening, buffering and other mitigation are in place. Price described multiple mitigations: selective intake of non‑aggressive, pre‑screened dogs; interior and exterior runs with fencing and supervised outdoor time; enrichment and exercise to reduce barking; twice‑daily cleaning with environmentally safe products; and microchip/tagging protocols for dogs that leave the facility.

Neighbors at the hearing offered both support and objections. Megha Elizabeth Goldstein, who lives at 2624 Doylesville Road, said she had discussed the proposal at length with Price and supported it given plans for additional screening and possible sound‑barrier fencing. "She has adequately addressed at least my and my husband’s concerns," Goldstein said during public comment.

Other neighbors cited concerns about barking, runoff and safety. David Thurman, who lives behind the property, said his "biggest concern" was barking from a large number of dogs and the potential for runoff into a nearby creek and spring. Martha Thurman raised concerns about small children playing near the property and the risk posed if a dog escaped.

Price responded that preventing a loose dog was a top priority and described containment protocols and staffing plans. He said the facility would accept only existing training clients and that he did not plan routine customer drop‑offs at the rural residence. He added, "It is my primary residence, I really don't want my clients coming to my home," describing the operational plan to reduce neighborhood traffic.

After public comment and discussion, a commissioner moved and another seconded approval of the conditional use permit subject to conditions included in the motion: boarding limited to 20 dogs, operating hours limited to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week, no signage at the rural site, and no new structures approved for the property. The commission then conducted a roll‑call vote; members present registered affirmative votes and the permit was approved.

The permit approval requires the applicant to follow county kennel licensing requirements and any conditions set by the commission. No further action or appeals were announced at the meeting.