How many dogs does it take to become a kennel? It is a question Cranberry’s Board of Supervisors considered at a public hearing in October. The need to clarify the definition arose in response to a situation in nearby Beaver County where a resident opened a nonprofit rescue shelter in a local neighborhood. In September, the Board advertised modifications to Cranberry’s zoning ordinance that would clarify the definition of kennels – whether or not they are operated as businesses – as well as where they can be permitted. Initially, the draft ordinance included both cats and dogs. But at the hearing, Supervisors heard residents’ concerns and revised the ordinance to apply only to dogs. The Board determined that seven or more dogs would be considered a kennel on properties under 20 acres. Owners of properties 20 acres or larger would be permitted up to nine dogs before being designated a kennel, but only in commercially zoned districts and even then, only with conditional use approval from the Board. A separate modification to the same ordinance would expand the current definition of a methadone clinic to also include those facilities dispensing other controlled medications administered in the treatment of drug addiction. On November 19, the Board agreed to consider final action on the proposed ordinance change at its December 3 meeting. For more details, contact Ron Henshaw, Director, Planning & Development