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Planning Commission previews kennel special‑exception that would allow up to 50 dogs; commissioners request more information
Summary
Staff told the commission the Saros/Sharas Farm special‑exception area would allow a kennel with up to 50 dogs and seeks buffer and setback reductions; commissioners requested conservation‑easement status, adjacent‑owner notice, drainfield/well locations and asked Animal Control to attend the work session.
County planning staff briefed commissioners Jan. 8 on a special‑exception application in the AR2 district for a kennel use on a small portion of a larger parcel.
Staff said the limits of the special exception cover roughly 1.2–1.25 acres of a 99‑acre parcel and that the applicant is requesting a reduction of the required buffer from 20 feet to 5 feet and a reduction of the required kennel setback from 100 feet to 5 feet. "The kennel would allow up to 50 dogs, which would include the owner's pets," staff said.
Commissioner Myers disclosed he had met electronically on Dec. 30 with representatives of "Happy Paw" and said he told them he was not in support of the application and would "not be looking for anything more than 12 dogs," adding he wanted the Office of Animal Control present at the work session and asked staff to provide prior Percival application materials and information about the location and capacity of the approved drainfield and the status of any well on the property.
Commissioners asked whether adjacent properties are under conservation easement and whether property owners were notified; staff said planners would provide that information. Commissioners also questioned the configuration of the special‑exception area and whether the special‑exception limits include access to a public road; staff agreed to confirm those details.
Staff told the commission that a complaint had been filed and a violation issued and that the property owner is now seeking to bring the lot into compliance.
Why it matters: The requested 5‑foot buffer and setback reductions are substantial departures from normal AR2 standards and could affect neighbors and protected land; commissioners asked for specifics about easements, prior approvals and infrastructure before the public hearing.
What’s next: Staff will gather and circulate the requested materials (adjacent‑owner notice status, easement status, Percival application materials, drainfield and well locations) ahead of the public hearing currently scheduled for March.
