Commission approves rezone for dog-training business at 720 Jean Bell Road with condition limiting boarding

The Walton County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a land-use change and rezoning for a three-acre property at 720 Jean Bell Road to allow a dog-training business with customer contact, planning staff Sharna said during the July 2 meeting.

Applicants Brianne Farr and Beth Farr spoke at the public hearing. Brianne Farr identified herself as a professional dog trainer and said the business, Aurora Dog Training, plans to hold small-group classes and private lessons within an already-fenced three-acre area. Beth Farr said she is the property owner.

During questioning, Brianne Farr confirmed there would be no on-site breeding and that boarding was not part of immediate operations; she said any future boarding would be inside the residence and limited (she described one dog at a time). Commissioners made the rezoning conditional on the use proposed and specifically included an allowance for one boarded dog inside the residence; any expansion to boarding or additional services would require the applicant to return to the board for further approval.

The planning commission recommended approval as submitted and the board voted to grant the rezone with the stated limitation. Sharna and other staff noted the applicant had submitted a site plan and that exterior kennel facilities were not proposed.

Public process and vote: The applicant and owner addressed the board during the public hearing; no opponents appeared. A commissioner moved and the board approved the rezoning request with the condition limiting boarding to one dog inside the residence unless the applicant seeks additional approval.