Neighbors persuade Walton County commissioners to deny rezoning for commercial kennel

The Walton County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Feb. 10 to accept the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation to deny a rezoning application that would have allowed a commercial kennel with customer contact at 4350 Jacks Creek Road.

Planning staff introduced agenda item 6.2, noting the planning commission had recommended denial. The applicant, listed as Raymond Spinelli (owner, with Tammy Spinelli), was not present for the public hearing.

Neighbors spoke in opposition. Chris Fogelman, who lives at 4306 Jacks Creek Road, said he owns the property directly adjacent to the applicant and asked the board to deny the rezoning. Fogelman cited Walton County Ordinance Sections 6-1-470 and 6-1-480, saying those provisions give adjacent property owners protections against commercial kennels being placed within certain setback distances and from residential districts.

Alex Marshall, Catherine Marshall and other neighbors described concerns about loss of quiet enjoyment, nuisance barking and increased traffic. Josh Stewart told the board he lives a few houses away and alleged the applicant "has ran an illegal kennel for 2.5 years now" and has received multiple code-enforcement tickets. Stewart said the operation had failed to control animals and posed safety concerns for children in the neighborhood.

With no applicant testimony in rebuttal, commissioners closed the public hearing and a commissioner moved to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation of denial; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

No formal appeal or variance was filed at the meeting. The board’s action maintains the property’s existing zoning and denies authorization for a commercial kennel with customer contact at the address presented.