Commission approves conditional-use permit for grooming and boarding but flags building placement

The Stephens County Planning Commission approved a conditional-use permit to allow home-based grooming and boarding at 192 Richardson Street for applicant Kelly Sabetti, while simultaneously denying the requested variance to place a building in the driveway.

Multiple neighbors and clients spoke in support of Kelly’s veterinary-adjacent experience and the low-volume nature of her operation. Kelly told the commission that boarding capacity would be limited — "the most I could do at my house is 2 dogs or a family with 2 dogs and a family with 1 dog" — and that grooming appointments would typically be one customer at a time; she also stated she holds a kennel license and would undergo state inspection as required for boarding.

While commissioners expressed sympathy for the business and willingness to approve the conditional use, they made clear that the accessory building’s placement on the driveway raised safety and setback issues. The motion approved the grooming and boarding permit while denying the front-yard building placement; the conditional-use approval will be forwarded as a positive recommendation to the board of commissioners.