Planning board approves Long Pine Canine conditional use permit

Lawrence Schockburn, chair of the Washington County Planning Board, presided as the board approved a conditional use permit for Long Pine Canine, a small dog-boarding and training business operating on a 15.88-acre parcel.

Planning staff told the board the operation would occupy roughly 0.73 acres and use an insulated 12-by-24 portable structure with no new utility services; water is provided by two hydrants on a private well and there are no indoor restrooms in the facility. "The applicant is requesting a conditional use permit to operate a small scale dog boarding and training facility, which will bring the subject property into compliance," planning staff said during their presentation.

Annika Boehm, who identified herself as the owner and a certified professional dog trainer, told the board she has run the business for two years and that “in 2025, I averaged 0.5 clients per day, which reflects the small scale of my business.” She and a neighboring property owner both said the business is appointment-only, that dogs are contained, and that neighborhood traffic has not been a problem.

Two neighbors spoke in support. Kevin Carpenter said he has been a customer for years and that traffic “is not an issue here at all.” Neighbor Dylan Phillips said he has lived next to the property for eight years and has never seen dogs get out or heard problematic barking.

A board member moved to approve the staff-recommended conditions and the CUP; the board approved the motion by voice vote with no opposition recorded in the transcript. The permit will allow the existing operation to come into formal compliance with county zoning requirements.