The town may not be going to the dogs, but a local resident has applied to council for a kennel for the 14 dogs already on his property.
On Feb. 3, councillors here held a public meeting to rezone Lot 29 and W. Part Lot 28, Concession 3, known as 5740 Third Line.
The change would rezone the property from agricultural zoning to agricultural exception to permit a kennel operation on a portion of an existing shed.
Planner Mark Van Patter believes the change proposed by owner Rick Horsburgh is relatively simple. He said there is a single family dwelling and two buildings or sheds.
What is being proposed is to use one of those sheds as a kennel. He added that the proposed kennel is fairly distant from any of the property boundaries.
“It’s well located.”
He noted the proposal had not specified the actual size or number of dogs in the kennel.
Van Patter said the county provides for kennels in prime agricultural areas, while the zoning bylaw prohibits them – unless there is a specific rezoning in place.
He said that normally, the process does not go into much detail at this point since those aspects are generally covered through the town’s kennel and dog bylaw.
“There’s quite a few regulations to direct kennels,” Van Patter said. “All that we’re really doing [tonight] is changing the bylaw to allow the kennel on this particular property.”
He added that the proposed location meets or exceeds the required setbacks under the kennel bylaw.
“I think its a good location.”
Horsburgh said the dogs are “just pets” and there was no intent to breed and sell them.
“We’ve had these dogs for quite a while.”
He estimated the number of dogs at 14.
The only question posed was from councillor Barb Burrows, who asked if the operation would be like a boarding kennel. “Is this to hold up to 14 dogs, or is this specifically for 14 dogs to make this legal.”
Horsburgh said they currently have 14 dogs on the property.
Council later approved the rezoning.
