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Pataskala BZA approves variance allowing dog‑boarding business to expand outdoor run
Summary
The Pataskala Board of Zoning Appeals approved a use variance for Furball Fitness at 685 Taylor Road SW to expand an outdoor dog run, with the condition that the variance will expire if the use is discontinued for two years or replaced with a conforming use.
The Pataskala Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday approved a use variance allowing an existing dog‑boarding and grooming business to expand an outdoor run at 685 Taylor Road SW.
Planning staff told the board the property is roughly 2 acres with a commercial building of just over 10,000 square feet and existing outdoor areas including a 1,400‑square‑foot dog run. The operation, identified in filings as Furball Fitness and previously operated as Benchmark Pet Services, is classified under NAICS 812910 — not a permitted use in the site’s M‑1 (light manufacturing) zoning, staff said, so the applicant requested a use variance to legalize and enlarge the outdoor area by roughly 31 by 30 feet.
The applicant, who provided an address for the record, said the extra outdoor area would let staff rotate smaller supervised groups of dogs — described in the application as 15–20 dogs in 15–30 minute sessions — to reduce congestion and improve safety. The applicant told the board the business operates from about 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Staff review noted screening, setback and landscaping standards that apply where nonconforming commercial uses abut residential zoning, and flagged that a fenced outdoor area is treated as an expansion of the commercial use. The BZA discussed front‑yard setback rules (staff cited a 50‑foot front property‑line requirement for a six‑foot fence in that district) and Code provisions allowing only a limited one‑time expansion under certain circumstances; the applicant asked instead for a use variance to permit the expansion and future potential growth.
Committee member (mover) made the motion to approve the variance with a condition that the variance will expire if the use is voluntarily discontinued for a period of two years or if replaced with a conforming use. The motion passed on roll call; the board then approved the findings and facts for application VADash26Dash001.
The board did not require additional mitigation beyond the 2‑year expiration condition and standard screening checks; staff will continue to enforce applicable screening and setback requirements during permitting and any subsequent inspections.
