Modern K9 Solutions opened in summer of 2022, operating a dog training service they have run successfully for the last two years. It was not until recently that Warrenton officials discovered they were out of compliance with the city’s zoning code. 

They were brought back into compliance with approval of a conditional use permit and amended site plan at the Oct. 15 Warrenton Board of Aldermen meeting. 

Modern K9 Solutions is located at the Shoppes at Warrenton, which is zoned C-3 highway commercial. 

Dog training is an acceptable use under C-3 zoning, but city officials did not realize as a part of Modern K9 Solutions’ training programs, they were boarding dogs at the facility, which is not an accepted use. 

“We have been in business prior to applying for this conditional use permit, we did attempt to do our due diligence and clarify that we didn’t need the conditional use permit before we started operating in the building,” said Loveless. 

The misunderstanding occurred when the business opened, city officials did not realize part of their training program involved boarding the dogs overnight and mistakenly told them they did not need a conditional use permit. 

When these discrepancies were discovered, city officials requested that Loveless apply for a conditional use permit and amended site plan to bring them back into compliance. 

This required Loveless to appear before both the Warrenton Planning and Zoning Commission and the board of aldermen to answer questions and clear up any confusion surrounding his business’ activities. 

During questioning from the P&Z board, Loveless explained that the issues with the property were simply a miscommunication. She said they thought that they were in compliance and applied for the necessary documentation as soon as they discovered they were not. 

“We’ve chalked it up to a big, huge misunderstanding,” said Loveless. “The city is saying they need us to file a conditional use permit, we just want to play fair and play by the rules.” 

While the issue did seem fairly cut and dry, P&Z commissioners still had some questions. 

“The facility is not fitted with floor drains and just the sanitation, would be a concern of mine,” said Commissioner John Cornell. “But then I also understand that they’re already operating in that manner anyways and it hasn’t been an issue.”

They wanted to ensure the business did not need to make any additional changes with their CUP and that their current protocols were acceptable. 

Kayla said their workers are careful to maintain the cleanliness of the kennel areas, and clarified that there is a floor drain in that area as well. Solid waste from the animals is not allowed into the drain, and they use rescue cleaner sourced from their veterinarian to clean the floor of the kennel before sending water down the drain. 

In total, Kayla said they have 36 kennels, although six are currently out of commission. She went on to say with their current staffing they only train 20 dogs at a time, although that number may increase if they are able to hire additional staff. 

P&Z Commissioner Cornell then asked if they could move forward with sending a positive recommendation to the board with the condition that Modern K9 Solutions not board any dogs for reasons outside of their training programs. 

The commissioners found this reasonable but Loveless stepped in to request that they do away with the condition, stating they were considering boarding dogs as an expansion of the business. 

Discussion then centered around what, if any additional regulations the business would be subject to if boarding dogs for reasons other than training. 

Eventually the board settled on a positive recommendation on the condition that Modern K9 Solutions not expand past their current capacity of 36 dogs. 

They clarified to Loveless that they were not against him expanding his business, but would require him to appear before the commission and the board once again when he did make that decision. 

Modern K9 Solutions’ conditional use permit and amended site plan were then approved unanimously by the board of aldermen without comment on Oct. 15.