Several months ago, alarms sounded among residents of Gardiner’s Sand Hill and Denniston Road neighborhood. A plan to convert a 180-acre former horse farm at 163 Denniston Road into a dog kennel landed on the planning-board lap. Among the nearest neighbors was a member of planning-board member Josh Verleun, who made it his immediate business to take a closelook at the proposal submitted by Springtown Farmland, LLC. The intent seemed to be to house a puppy mill, not merely a place to leave one’s pet. Concerned about the potential for incessant noise, canine waste runoff and other issues, neighbors were bracing for a fight.
Springtown Farmland suddenly withdrew its application.
The language of the section of Gardiner’s zoning code that regulates kennels is rather vague, with no specific limitations on the size of the facility nor the total number of animals that can be housed. As part of its multi-year campaign to modernize terminology, plug leaks, and excise contradictions in the code, the town board has decided to rewrite the sections that apply to kennels.
Verleun reported to the town board that he had been meeting virtually with attorneys from the Buffalo Municipal Law Clinic who “have a specialization in animal laws,” and that he “will be consulting with them,” according to councilman David Dukler. Information provided by the clinic about kennel laws that have worked well for other municipalities will be incorporated into Gardiner’s deliberations about how best to strengthen the local code.
While that work gets under way, Gardiner is planning a six-month moratorium on consideration of new permits for kennels. The town board voted at its December 8 meeting to schedule a public hearing on January 12 regarding a proposed local law enacting the moratorium.
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