CBRM vote allows doggy daycare to become overnight kennel

Cape Breton regional councillors have rezoned a Sydney neighbourhood to allow a controversial new dog kennel to expand.

The Crate Escape Doggy Daycare was allowed to open on Keltic Drive last year, but as a daytime operation only.

The owner, Nicole Campbell, had hoped to offer overnight kenneling services as well, but some local businesses and residents objected.

CBRM councillors then voted 8-4 to amend the zone to allow the animal daycare and promised to revisit the overnight aspect a year later.

The council chamber was packed Tuesday for a public hearing into the second zoning amendment.

Several people spoke for and against the proposal to allow kenneling overnight.

Peter Thompson, who operates Paws Awhile and Dream Kennels in a rural area just outside Sydney, said he is concerned that Campbell's business plans keep changing.

He said he objects to the proposed zoning amendment because he believes Campbell is not acting fairly.

"Now I got my foot in the door, I'm going to go a little further," he said. "There's got to be a stop [to] this."

In addition, Thompson said, most kennels are located outside Sydneybecause their operatorswere told zoningwould not permit their operation inside the municipality.

Peter Harrison lives in the Keltic Driveneighbourhood and said the doggy daycare and kennel are in high demand.

"Miss Campbell and her family have created an absolute top-notch facility in this district," he said.

Steve Gillespie, the area's councillor, told the hearing he would have to vote against the zoning amendment.

"I am not against this business idea, but I have several residents who have asked me to act on their behalf," he said.

"They voted me in and I have to do what they've asked me to do."

The zoning amendment passed, with Gillespie the only councillor to vote against it.