At Monday nights public meeting, Weyburn City Council discussed a discretionary use development permit, a proposal to open a daycare for dogs.

As is the case for all discretionary business license applications, a notice was sent by the council to residents within a 75-metre radius of the proposed business. The City received one response with a resident's concern they may lose the resale value of their property.

The sight of the proposed daycare, 225 1st Avenue S.W. is zoned as light industrial. Cindy Ann Boehm, hopeful applicant was present to answer questions from councillors.

A doggy day care is where residents can bring their dogs for a short period of time. The proposal stated there is a large yard area which would be fenced off for an outdoor play area for the animals. The applicant proposed a maximum of 30 dogs at the Doggy Day Care; however, not all dogs will be outdoors at the same time.

The resident concerned with having a kennel near their property is zoned as residential which used to be light industrial until 2014 when the owner applied for the zoning change in order to renovate.

The council's option chosen was to accept the proposal with the following conditions:

  • A minimum of three (3) off-street parking stalls must be provided, and maintained, on the property meeting design requirements of Section 14.1.8 of the Zoning Bylaw;
  • A maximum of 8 dogs shall be permitted outdoors at any one time to limit the noise; I No dogs shall be permitted to be outdoors earlier than 9 am or later than 10 pm, daily, as there are residential uses located south and east of the proposed site.
  • Any outdoor play space for the animals shall be kept in a neat and tidy order, with regular maintenance as per the Property Nuisance and Abatement Bylaw 2004-3021, which includes the prompt removal and disposal of pet wastes as to eliminate accumulation and offensive odours;
  • Any outdoor play space for the dogs shall be completely screened in by a solid wall or fence with a minimum height of 1.83 metres.

Boehm explained it was not possible for her to comply with all the conditions because of the nature of the business and time it would need to be open

"It is a doggy daycare, not a kennel so the animals would not be kept overnight. It is a place of training animals as well as owners," explained Boehm and said the doggy daycare would be available for people to drop off their dogs for no longer than a day. There would be an agility course, an indoor and outdoor play area. She added it would run from 6:30 am - 6:30 pm. Boehm said she feels keeping the time condition is not reasonable. She said It would be difficult to keep dogs inside until 9 am if they need to go to the toilet. There would need to be more dogs allowed outside at one time. She also said the animals would be properly screened before approved for the daycare. She felt the height of the fence condition was also unreasonable to enclose another fence, six feet high so the neighbours couldn't see the dog.

Councillor Jeff Richards had questions regarding noise, smell and number of dogs. Boehm explained her research into other dog daycares in Canada and the States that it is typical for them to have around 25 dogs. There would be three areas in the facility including a staging area where dogs would be able to rest without having to mix with the other dogs if needed.

Councillor Dick Michel appreciated the idea but had concerns about the noise and possible smell.

Chief of Police, Marlo Pritchard in attendance was asked about the noise bylaw. He said it doesn't matter on the time of the noise. If the noise is disturbing an individual, charges can be pressed any time of the day.

Boehm explained how she has been involved in kennels her entire life and said the doggy daycare would be different to the Humane Society where there can be a lot of noise from dogs barking. 

Councillor Brad Wheeler added to the conversation and said his experience of using the doggy daycare was a positive experience and there was no barking. He said he is in support of the daycare.

Councillor Mel Van Betuw said he would support it on a year trial basis. This idea was discussed but Boehm felt it could be an expensive trial if it does not work out.

Councillor Jeff Chessall suggested additions to the existing fence with black plastic inserts but Boehm responded the strong Sask winds would damage it but is looking at different fence materials.

Throughout the discussion, Boehm said she plans to make this happen somewhere in Weyburn but this does not have to be the location if there is a better one elsewhere. The proposal was tabled until next council meeting to give time for Boehm to work on how to make the conditions work and look for another location.