Planning commission forwards kennel special-exception change for Thistle Creek Kennel

The Upson County Planning Commission on Aug. 10 voted to forward a request to the Board of Commissioners to modify a special exception for Thistle Creek Kennel, allowing a maximum of 65 dogs on the property while keeping prior conditions in place.

County planning staff said the kennel, owned by Sydney Young of Thomaston, previously received a special exception on July 13, 2021 that limited the site to 32 dogs (including the owner’s four), required that all dogs be in kennels by 9:30 p.m., and called for a 12-foot vegetation buffer around kennel structures. Jeremy, the county staff presenter, told the commission that "she's asking to have 65 dogs, at this time," and that the applicant’s state license inspection shows a capacity for 100 dogs. Staff recommended approval of the requested modification while retaining the other conditions from the 2021 approval.

During discussion commissioners noted the requested number is below the applicant’s current state-licensed capacity and that no members of the public registered opposition during the hearing. The chair moved the item forward to the Board of Commissioners; Jeremy said the county will re-advertise the property and that the item is scheduled for the Board’s Sept. 22 meeting. No mover or second was recorded by name in the transcript and a roll-call tally was not read aloud; the record shows the motion carried to forward the matter.

If the Board of Commissioners grants final approval, the amended special exception would permit up to 65 dogs on the 30-acre property at 968 Windsweep Farm Road (Tax Parcel 070042, Land Lot 89, 10th Land District) subject to the existing conditions (kenneling by 9:30 p.m. and a 12-foot vegetation buffer).