The Warren County Commission has approved a conditional use permit (CUP) for a kennel facility aimed at police dogs, but with a lengthy list of restrictions.Business owner Brian Dowdy had already dropped, for the time being, a request to train police dogs at the facility, which is the main purpose of his business. That part of the CUP request was dropped after a legal challenge from neighbors opposed to the facility, over whether county officials had mishandled the application process.Two weeks after a lengthy public hearing about the business, the county commission voted 3-0 Jan. 24 to approve a CUP for the kennel facility, with no training operation. The facility would use existing buildings at 16480 Ranch Road, north of Wright City.Dowdy is allowed to request police dog training be added to his CUP at a later date.Before approving the kennel CUP, the county commission added a number of restrictions for the construction of the facility and handling of the dogs.“I was a little disappointed in the conditions. I don’t believe they’re very realistic,” Dowdy said after the ruling. “I almost get the impression that Warren County is unfriendly to business.”Dowdy said he isn’t sure why there has been so much pushback against his proposal, and that his business would be nothing but good for the community.The proposed facility would use existing structures in a rural area of Warren County, with fewer than 10 other private properties within 1,000 feet, according to the county planning and zoning office. A group of residents within or close to that area fought against the CUP because of fears that police dogs in training would pose a threat to their peace and the safety of their families.Commissioners said neighbors’ concerns were being heard, but the commission didn’t have a reason to reject the CUP entirely.“We cannot stop anybody from having a kennel. That’s no different than having hogs,” said Presiding Commissioner Joe Gildehaus while the commission was discussing the CUP. “They can have a kennel, but we’re putting limitations with the kennel having to be built a certain way, etc.”In the approved CUP, commissioners prohibit Dowdy from constructing any part of the kennel facility or surrounding fence until detailed plans have been reviewed and approved by the commission. Normally, building permits only need to be approved by a staff member in the county planning and zoning office.A number of design specifications for the kennel are outlined in the CUP, including roofs for all outdoor kennel cages, concrete floors, and soundproofing drywall.All outdoor exercise areas and fencing must be planned by a professional surveyor. Fences must be at least 8 feet tall, with an additional 2 feet of inward-leaning fence to make it harder for dogs to climb.No more than 50 dogs may be kept at the property, including personal dogs. Puppies less than 8 weeks old would not count toward that number. The only exception to this rule would be during twice-annual “special events,” during which the kenneling capacity is increased to 80 dogs.Plans for any such event must be submitted to the county commission for approval at least 60 days beforehand.Dowdy had originally asked for special events, large gatherings of 30 or more people, to be included in his CUP so he could host police dog training seminars at the property. He said at this point he isn’t sure whether he will continue to pursue plans for the training operation.“I have to look some things over to see if there’s any room for negotiation. I guess we’ll see,” he commented.In discussions leading up to approval of the CUP, Southern District Commissioner Hubie Kluesner said the commission has to consider what else would normally be allowed in the agricultural zone where the proposed kennel would be located. He said the commission asks whether a kennel would be better or worse than other things that are allowed.“If someone bought that property and decided to raise ... a million chickens, there’s no regulation. There’s nothing stopping them from doing that,” said Kluesner. “So what’s more detrimental to the neighbors — a million chickens, or 80 dogs?”

The site of a proposed kennel and training facility for police dogs in Warren County is shown in this aerial photo.

Submitted photo