Planning commission recommends Board of Commissioners not support kennel zoning application at 1622; cites commercial activity and survey questions
July 06, 2026 | Cumru, Berks County, Pennsylvania
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The Cumru Township Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Board of Commissioners not support Zoning Hearing Board Application 839 for a kennel at 1622 (Brewbaker property), citing inconsistent materials, questions about license transferability and indications the operation may be commercial rather than a private kennel.
Staff noted the plot plan provided with the Cumru filing — a survey by John Hoffford — shows the kennel entirely within Cumru Township, though owner‑provided hand drawings submitted earlier placed the structure wholly in Brecknock. Patty (staff) said the application indicates the owners operate under a non‑commercial kennel license but that other parts of the application describe breeding activity: “On another page, it says that they're going to be breeding English bulldogs... 30 to 50 puppies,” the commission said, citing the Brecknock hearing record.
Commissioner Joe expressed concern about the operation’s scale and character. “It kind of reminds — I don't even want to call it a hobby kennel. It reminds me more of a puppy mill type of setup,” Joe said. Other commissioners agreed the testimony indicating 8–12 adult dogs and 30–50 puppies a year looks commercial and that, if the use is commercial, the application is incomplete for the correct relief.
Members also discussed whether the kennel license is transferable to the new location; staff and commissioners said licenses typically identify a location and are not automatically transferable, and they asked that the applicant clarify licensing and how the operation is regulated. Commissioners noted neighbors have complained about the structure being constructed without appropriate approvals and said surveys and testimony from the surveyor (John Hoffford) should be part of the Zoning Hearing Board record.
After discussion the commission voted to instruct staff to send a letter to the Board of Commissioners opposing support for the requested relief, citing likely commercial use and unclear licensing transfer. The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote; staff (Patty) was authorized to prepare the correspondence.
The Zoning Hearing Board is scheduled to hear the application on July 28 (continuance referenced by staff). The commission’s recommendation is advisory to the Board of Commissioners and does not itself decide the zoning question.
Staff noted the plot plan provided with the Cumru filing — a survey by John Hoffford — shows the kennel entirely within Cumru Township, though owner‑provided hand drawings submitted earlier placed the structure wholly in Brecknock. Patty (staff) said the application indicates the owners operate under a non‑commercial kennel license but that other parts of the application describe breeding activity: “On another page, it says that they're going to be breeding English bulldogs... 30 to 50 puppies,” the commission said, citing the Brecknock hearing record.
Commissioner Joe expressed concern about the operation’s scale and character. “It kind of reminds — I don't even want to call it a hobby kennel. It reminds me more of a puppy mill type of setup,” Joe said. Other commissioners agreed the testimony indicating 8–12 adult dogs and 30–50 puppies a year looks commercial and that, if the use is commercial, the application is incomplete for the correct relief.
Members also discussed whether the kennel license is transferable to the new location; staff and commissioners said licenses typically identify a location and are not automatically transferable, and they asked that the applicant clarify licensing and how the operation is regulated. Commissioners noted neighbors have complained about the structure being constructed without appropriate approvals and said surveys and testimony from the surveyor (John Hoffford) should be part of the Zoning Hearing Board record.
After discussion the commission voted to instruct staff to send a letter to the Board of Commissioners opposing support for the requested relief, citing likely commercial use and unclear licensing transfer. The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote; staff (Patty) was authorized to prepare the correspondence.
The Zoning Hearing Board is scheduled to hear the application on July 28 (continuance referenced by staff). The commission’s recommendation is advisory to the Board of Commissioners and does not itself decide the zoning question.
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