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Roanoke County board approves special-use permit for commercial kennel on Grubb Road
Summary
The Roanoke County board approved a special-use permit for Travis Bell to operate a small commercial kennel on Grubb Road, with three conditions limiting daytime and overnight animals and requiring adherence to a setback map; neighbors had urged a continuance citing noise and environmental concerns.
The Roanoke County board voted to approve a special-use permit that allows a home-based commercial kennel to operate on two combined parcels on Grubb Road.
Supervisor (speaker 28) moved to approve the petition of Travis Bell and to include the three conditions recommended by the planning commission: a maximum of 12 commercial-use dogs on-site between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.; a maximum of two dogs on-site overnight between 6 p.m. and 7:30 a.m.; and that outdoor runs, training areas and pens conform substantially to the setback map included in the application packet (map dated 07/14/2020). The motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote.
Philip Thompson, director of planning (speaker 29), told the board the application combined two parcels to meet the AG-1 zoning district's minimum lot-size requirement and summarized the planning commission's review, which included mailed notice to nearby property owners, public hearings and recommended conditions intended to limit impacts. Thompson said the proposal was “consistent with this future land use designation” for a rural village and explained that the 100-foot setback required for outdoor kennel areas may be reduced through the special-use permit process after evaluation of topography and existing vegetation.
Petitioner representatives described the operation and mitigations. The co-owner (speaker 31) said the proposed daycare would average up to 10 dogs during the day and boarding would average about two overnight; he described a converted garage, an approximately 1,800-square-foot enclosed play area with a six-foot fence, indoor climate-controlled suites and on-site supervision. The petitioner (speaker 32) explained the kennel silencer and said, "I call it a bark box...when the dogs bark, it sends out, like, a dog whistle noise...and it's enough to get their attention to be calm and chill out." The applicants said animal waste would be double-bagged and placed in the county trash tote and that bathing gray water would discharge to the home septic system.
Neighbors who spoke during the public hearing urged caution. Elaine Kuros (speaker 30) said she lives across Sugar Rum Ridge Road and asked for a continuance to address questions she said were not answered in the application, including the proximity of streams (she said two run within 50 feet of the activity area), the adequacy of the neighborhood support survey and the house’s suitability for boarding in hot weather. "We just want a continuance so that we can have a chance to speak to those concerns," she said.
County staff and the county attorney (speaker 33) described enforcement options. Thompson said complaints would be handled under the county's nuisance and animal ordinances and that the special-use permit conditions themselves could be enforced and, if violated, could lead to a repeal process. The county attorney added that zoning approvals cannot be rescinded absent the established process but that noise complaints could be investigated by law enforcement if they violate the noise ordinance.
The clerk's roll call recorded affirmative votes from Mister Radford, Missus ******, Mister North, Mister Mahoney and Missus Shepherd. The permit was approved with the three planning-commission conditions attached.
The board moved next to member reports and inquiries.
