BARRHEAD - A County of Barrhead dog breeder can continue to use its current facility following a municipal planning committee (MPC) decision.
On June 4, MPC members unanimously approved Connor Pearson's application for an "as-built" small breeding facility.
Pearson and his wife own Everest Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
According to the agenda package, the facility currently houses 10 adult dogs, including rough collies, German shepherds and Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
Development officer Jenny Bruns said the property is in an Agricultural District with a residence and multiple outbuildings.
According to the county's bylaw, property owners in an Agricultural District are limited to three dogs unless the animals are part of a small breeding or boarding facility. Dogs under six months old are not included in the limit.
The municipality's land-use bylaw (LUB) defines small breeding and boarding services as any development that breeds, boards, cares for, or trains small animals generally considered household pets.
The LUB also states that small animal breeding and boarding facilities closer to 305 metres or 1,000 feet from a residence not related to the proposed location are considered discretionary uses, ensuring the community's comfort and safety.
In this case, Bruns said the closest adjacent residence unrelated to the proposed development is 243 metres away.
"The applicant indicates they have some small dog houses throughout the yard, and the dogs are put on leads during the day for exercise and are brought in at night because they are their pets," she said.
Bruns added that the setback within the yard site mitigates potential nuisance problems with neighbours, such as noise, odour, or unsightliness.
She also noted that as small breeding and boarding facilities are discretionary in Agricultural Districts, residents adjacent to the property can appeal the application if it "does not meet their expectations."
Bruns said the facility has been in operation for about a year and a half, and the municipality has only received one comment from neighbouring residents.
"It wasn't that they were concerned, or complaining, about the barking or anything else, but just wondered if it was permissible on the property," she said.
Bruns said administration staff have spoken with the applicant and recommended the MPC approve the application with the standard conditions, including that the facility structures and exercise runs used to accommodate animals be within 6.1 metres of the property line, that the facility and exterior runs be kept clean to mitigate odour to the satisfaction of the development authority, that the facility operator may have to employ soundproofing mitigation to various parts of the facility upon satisfaction of the development authority and that the municipality reserves the right to regulate the hours that the dogs are allowed outdoors upon receiving complaints from nearby residents.
She also noted that usually, the applicant does not have 10 dogs but rather five or six, but "expands and contracts" as the litters come and go.
Reeve Doug Drozd added the property is also well-treed, and they would act as a sound buffer.
Bruns agreed, adding the nearest neighbour also has trees in between their residence and the facility, acting as an additional sound buffer.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
