Council upholds BZA denial for proposed Dog Depot boarding facility at US 41

The Schererville Town Council on March 11 denied a zoning variance for a proposed dog boarding and daycare business at 2436 U.S. 41, upholding the Board of Zoning Appeals unfavorable recommendation (5-0).

The petitioners representative, who identified herself as the owner of the Dog Depot, described planned hours (MondayFriday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Sundays), a six-foot vinyl fenced outdoor relief/play area behind the building, and a willingness to reconfigure the yard to reduce impact on adjacent office tenants. "So I'm looking to open a dog boarding and daycare facility in this town," the owner said, adding that she had supplied a packet with a business plan and a sketch of the proposed fence.

Town staff and the BZA told council that the proposed use is disallowed by the commercial-corridor overlay district, which prohibits dog boarding (overnight boarding) in that district; the BZA issued an unfavorable recommendation based on its findings. Town staff told the council a dog daycare would also likely require a similar variance.

Council member motioned to approve the BZAs unfavorable recommendation, effectively denying the variance; the motion incorporated the BZAs findings of fact and passed 5-0. The petitioner thanked the council for the hearing.

What happens next: The petitioner was advised to work with town staff to identify locations where boarding or daycare might be permitted and to consider alternate sites in industrial or appropriately zoned areas.