Currently "kennels" are only allowed on Agri-business zoned property, with the majority of the property within Richland township zoned Agriculture/Residential. All surrounding townships allow "kennels" to be placed (with special permitted use/exception) on property zoned Agriculture or Rural Residential. The property that we will be building our home and small doggie daycare on is currently zoned Agriculture and is approximately 60 acres in size, more than enough space to have a small doggie daycare of 12-15 dogs total per day.

Why not simply rezone? We were informed that rezoning will not fit in with the township's current 20-year plan, would cost us $2000 to rezone, and we may still be denied the special exception permit (another $1500).  We were then told that petitioning to amend the ordinance text may very well be the simplest and easiest route for all parties involved.

In conclusion, our family have been members of this community since its inception and very much want to be able to give back by providing a much needed service; that of a smaller, more personalized doggie daycare experience. Not every pup wants to be in a big daycare setting, we want to be here to enable them to play with others, but also allow for each individual need they may have.  This is going to be our livelihood, please allow us let it grow and flourish.