Warren County officials say a final decision about a proposed police dog training kennel has been pushed back to an unknown date due to a new objection.Members of the Warren County Commission said opponents to the business have raised concerns about the administrative proceedings leading up to initial approval for the dog kennel.In August, Warren County’s Planning and Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit for former Belleville police officer Brian Dowdy to create 40-dog kennel and training facility at 16480 Ranch Road, northwest of Wright City.Nearby residents soon filed an appeal that would have brought the matter before the county’s elected, three-person governing commission. But before that could happen, opponents filed an additional protest, objecting to the performance of the county's planning and zoning staff. County officials said the new objection raises concerns about how planning and zoning staff handled the application for the dog kennel, prior to a decision being made.When objections are raised about the planning and zoning administrative process, rather than a particular decision, county officials said a special group of appointees is assembled to resolve the dispute. This group, called the Board of Adjustments, is only called together when needed, which county commissioners said is quite rare.It is unknown when the Board of Adjustments will meet to resolve the administrative dispute, and beyond that, when a final decision about the police dog kennel will be made.

The site of a proposed kennel and training facility for police dogs in Warren County is shown in this aerial photo. A decision related to a permit for the business has been put on hold while objections are resolved.

Submitted photo