Board approves special exception for boarding kennel at 2520 West Lincoln Way

On March 24, 2026 the Whitley County Board of Zoning Appeals granted petition 26 WSE7, allowing a proposed boarding kennel at 2520 West Lincoln Way in the GC zoning district, subject to nine staff-recommended conditions including screening of outdoor runs, limits on pickup/drop-off hours and health-department compliance for septic and animal waste.

Staff presented the project as a conceptual 2,600-square-foot building with indoor kennels, outdoor runs and a lobby/office. Because the site requires septic work and has a steep grade on the north side, staff recommended screening for the east and west sides of the outdoor runs and a minimum of five parking spaces to accommodate pickup and drop-off activity, noting that full development-plan review and engineering will set final parking and setback details.

Petitioner Warren Wilhelm, recorded as the proposed purchaser, said he anticipates operating roughly 20 kennels and has applied for relevant licensing and health-department review. Public commenters voiced support, saying the county has few local boarding options and that such a service would be used by lake-area residents. The board approved the special exception with the recommended conditions by a unanimous show-of-hands vote.

The approval is conditioned on the staff-suggested screening, parking minimum, compliance with health-code requirements and any development-plan adjustments identified during site engineering. The petitioner will need final approvals for septic and any building permits before operations begin.