Newberry opens review of kennel and small‑animal boarding rules after resident‑operator dispute

The City of Newberry commission on Feb. 23 held an extended discussion about revising municipal code sections that govern commercial kennels, veterinary clinics and small‑animal boarding in agricultural zoning areas. The item was city‑initiated after an operator sought a business license and staff and commissioners said the current code contains inconsistencies and enforcement challenges.

Community development director Stacy Hectes told the commission the planning and zoning board recommended aligning the Land Development Regulations with the comprehensive plan and discussed raising the minimum acreage from 4 to 5 acres for certain ag uses. Staff also flagged enforcement difficulties — for example, limiting overnight boarding to "no more than 30 consecutive days" is difficult to verify without records — and proposed clearer buffer and setback language to address noise.

Commissioner Jordan Marlowe said the conversation was initiated to provide a lawful path forward for small operators, not as a staff or elected official campaign: "We're here because of me... a person came in to do the right thing, and get a business license," he said, identifying himself as the commissioner who brought the item forward.

Neighbors and the applicant spoke at the meeting. Greg Graydon, a nearby resident, urged collaboration and offered to work with the owner and staff to evaluate structural noise mitigation rather than rely on vegetative buffers. The applicant, Tiffany McClendon of ET Mudhut, described building a facility to breed and board dogs and said she sought a business license after operating for some time: "I went to the city and said, hey. I'm a business, and I wanna have a business license. And y'all said, nope. I wanna fit." She described animals receiving exercise and indoor/outdoor space and said she intended to operate legally.

During commissioners' remarks the options discussed included keeping a 5‑acre minimum that matches the comprehensive plan, raising the minimum to 10 acres to exclude small subdivision parcels, requiring a 300‑foot setback for outdoor runs (versus a 50‑foot structure setback allowed on arterials), strengthening opaque fence/buffer requirements and setting a numeric cap on boarded animals (some commissioners suggested a cap near 10 for commercial boarding; county rules referenced as comparison have limits higher than that). Several commissioners emphasized the fairness and enforceability of any new rule set, noting Newberry's complaint‑driven code enforcement model and the need to avoid placing staff in an "untenable" position.

No ordinance was adopted. The commission directed staff to return with draft ordinance language presenting specific choices on acreage thresholds (5 vs. 10 acres and whether to exclude subdivision parcels), distinct setbacks for housings vs. outdoor runs, buffer/fencing options informed by jurisdictional research, and possible numeric limits on boarded animals; staff also will compile enforcement options and sample language for commissioners to consider at a future meeting.

Quotes from the meeting: "It's a conversation tonight based on my perception of this board's values," Commissioner Jordan Marlowe said when explaining why he brought the issue forward. Applicant Tiffany McClendon said, "My babies make noise. They are dogs... I need to do this correctly. I went to the city and said, hey. I'm a business, and I wanna have a business license. And y'all said, nope. I wanna fit." Neighbor Donna Bridal later told the commission she opposed a special exception for commercial kennel use, citing loss of rural quiet.

What happens next: staff will return with a redlined ordinance and a set of policy choices for the commission to consider at a future meeting; commissioners indicated preference for language that will be practical to enforce and protect neighbors' quality of life.