Commission approves Barking Bliss dog daycare and boarding at Lake Forest Village Shopping Center

The Lake Forest Planning Commission on June 5 unanimously approved a use permit for Barking Bliss to operate a dog daycare, grooming and boarding facility at a 3,924 square‑foot suite in the Lake Forest Village Shopping Center, allowing a maximum of 30 dogs and hours of operation from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Planner Sam Warra told the commission the suite was formerly the Lake Forest Animal Clinic and meets the community commercial zoning and Lake Forest planned community standards. "The suite is intended for kennel use and already has air conditioning," Warra said, and staff noted the applicant submitted a sound‑attenuation plan and a waste‑management approach.

Staff said the nearest residence is 377 feet from the proposed facility and cited city regulations that require animal housing facilities to be at least 50 feet from residences. Warra reported staff had received 47 letters of support at the time of the presentation.

Multiple dog owners and customers spoke in support at the public hearing, describing the applicant’s care and communication. Owner Yasser (spelled and pronounced during the hearing as Yasser) addressed the commission and thanked the community for support; he said his business grew by word of mouth and that he would not reopen boarding without community backing.

The resolution approved by the commission requires the proprietor to obtain an Orange County kennel license and any necessary building permits prior to opening, and to operate consistently with the approved plans and project narrative. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.

Staff said the proposed business aligns with the general plan, zoning and city standards for sound attenuation and waste management; the commission welcomed the volume of community support and condition compliance.