Southampton planning commission keeps hearing open, asks Bucks Dog Training for written proffers

The Southampton County Planning Commission on April 9 opened a public hearing on a conditional‑use permit for a canine training facility proposed by Stephanie Loria of Bucks Dog Training at 34577 Monroe Road and voted to continue deliberations to the commission’s May meeting.

Commission staff read the application, which described an 18.7‑acre parcel with 2.54 acres shown on the site plan for kennel use, reuse of existing buildings and daytime business hours. Applicant Stephanie Loria told the commission she and co‑owner Laura Federico moved to the county four years ago to run training focused on service dogs for veterans and community obedience; she said the operation typically hosts 4–8 dogs at a time and has had as many as about 10 at peak.

Commissioners pressed the owners and staff for specifics that were not included in the meeting packet: exact hours of operation, the acreage to be held under the permit, a firm maximum number of dogs, and a written plan for collection and disposal of animal waste and washdown water. "We keep our numbers really reasonable, so we probably stay between 4 and 8," Loria said. She said indoor areas are mopped rather than sprayed and that waste is picked up and taken to the landfill.

Staff and several commissioners pointed out that the commission has historically received written proffers with conditional‑use applications and asked the applicant to provide explicit commitments for the record. Commissioners also discussed local kennel licensing tiers, noting the county’s ordinance tiers typically begin at 6–20 animals and that a higher count could trigger annual inspections or additional permitting.

After discussion, a commissioner moved — and another seconded — to continue the matter to the next monthly meeting with the public hearing left open so the applicant would not need to be re‑advertised. Chairman Michael Drake asked staff to work with the applicant to include the requested proffers in the packet. The motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: the commission kept the hearing open and directed staff to work with Bucks Dog Training to deliver a completed application with written proffers on hours, the exact acreage to be used, a maximum animal count and a waste management plan. The item is scheduled to return at the commission’s May meeting.