Neighbors tell commission kennel would hurt quiet Grover Lane neighborhood

Multiple nearby residents spoke against the proposed commercial kennel at 1206 Rizzo Lane, telling the Planning Commission the facility is too close to homes and would harm quality of life.

Sadia Wohler, who said she lives at 1302 Grover Lane and is about 170 feet from the site, described the neighborhood as a quiet, pedestrian-oriented place where children play in the street and neighbors spend time outside. "We are here today to speak against the placement of a commercial dog kennel in our neighborhood," she said, describing concerns about noise, traffic, safety and property values.

Wohler emphasized that Grover Lane is under the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport flight paths and that aircraft noise already affects residents. She said sudden aircraft noise can make dogs anxious and that clustering dozens of dogs under two flight paths could intensify barking and disturbance for nearby houses.

Her partner (identified as Lane) added that the lot is cramped — less than an acre with a gym and kennel proposed on a single site — and said doors slamming and increased pedestrian traffic could exacerbate noise and safety hazards. Neighbors asked commissioners to consider enforceable conditions if the CUP proceeds, including limits on outdoor hours, staffing and capacity, waste management and sound mitigation.

Commissioners acknowledged residents' concerns during discussion and added a fence-height amendment as a mitigation measure; staff also noted the city’s kennel-license process and potential license-revocation mechanism as enforcement tools.