Ballwin Board of Aldermen Passes Bill Regulating Pet Daycare and Boarding Facilities
Ballwin Board of Aldermen Passes Bill Regulating Pet Daycare and Boarding Facilities
At the recent May 13 Ballwin Board of Aldermen meeting, a bill regulating pet daycare and boarding facilities was reviewed and ultimately passed. The bill, known as Bill 4190, includes specific regulations aimed at addressing concerns that may affect area neighbors.
One key aspect of the bill is the requirement for facilities to maintain enclosures with soundproof buildings to prevent objectionable noise or odors from escaping beyond their walls. Open pens and runs must be at least 300 feet away from any residentially zoned or occupied land and enclosed by an eight-foot vinyl privacy fence.
During the discussion on the bill, Alderman Mark Stallmann expressed concerns about the potential for excessive noise and odor from these facilities, particularly during late hours. He questioned whether 300 feet was a sufficient distance to mitigate these issues.
However, Alderman Ross Bullington disagreed, citing his familiarity with similar facilities in the south St. Louis County area that have not had any problems. He even suggested that 300 feet may be too generous of a requirement.
Alderman Frank Fleming emphasized that the bill does not automatically approve all future pet-care/boarding facilities in Ballwin. It provides a Special Use Exception, which means each facility will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, allowing the board to impose additional conditions as needed.
Dessa Williams, a representative of a potential future applicant for a pet-care facility, attended the meeting and provided insight into their plans. Williams explained that their facility would have staff on hand for outdoor runs and that animals would primarily be in their kennels at night. They are also considering additional measures such as buffers like bricks and trees to address noise concerns for neighboring properties.
Ultimately, the bill was passed unanimously by the Board of Aldermen, signaling a step towards more regulated and neighbor-friendly pet daycare and boarding facilities in Ballwin.
