Commission recommends approval of Zabowski kennel special‑use permit with conditions

The Marion County Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend approval of case 260302SU, a special‑use permit to allow a canine breeding and training kennel on an A‑1 (general agriculture) parcel south of Trinity Catholic High School, subject to conditions intended to limit impacts on neighbors.

Staff senior planner Kenneth Odom told the commission that staff’s recommendation includes a 15‑animal maximum for commercial operations, required permits and anchoring for existing Conex containers, an opaque buffer or fast‑growing hedge on the east side of the training area, and scheduled compliance reviews (a six‑month check and additional annual reviews in the first year). "The revocation from prior years does not control our analysis today," Odom said, "what matters is whether the current application meets the criteria and the applicant will meet the conditions."

Applicant Libor (recorded as Riber in the record) Zavalski acknowledged the prior revocation and apologized: "That was my fault, and I immediately moved to comply; my family moved commercial operations to Georgia and I want to be in compliance here." He said current on‑site animals are personal dogs and that commercial operations were relocated, and that he will permit and anchor the existing containers if required.

Neighbors who spoke in opposition described ongoing noise and sanitation concerns. "The noise has been incessant — 24 hours a day — and it's affected our homes," said nearby resident Jennifer Zar, who said she and other neighbors have complained since 2021. Zar also said she observed a manure pile she believed violated Marion County setback standards. The applicant disputed some of those claims, saying animal‑control visits found the dogs in good health and citing a county acoustic check that, he said, showed levels under allowable limits.

Staff confirmed animal‑services records show inspections with no active health violations at the most recent visits and explained that the county's kennel licensing rules limit commercial operations and require a special‑use permit when breeding, boarding or training occurs above thresholds. Commissioners pressed on fence, buffer and permitting timelines; the conditions passed include a requirement to submit building/parking permits for existing containers and to install required perimeter fencing or vegetative screening within timeframes included in the staff recommendation.

The commission's recommendation is advisory; the application will be considered by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners on March 17 for final action. The commission vote sent the permit forward with conditions intended to mitigate noise, visual impacts and to provide a compliance pathway if violations recur.