Exception granted for pet business

A rural Portland woman can move forward with her plans for a new business.

Jay County Board of Zoning Appeals granted Klarisa Hemmelgarn a special exception to allow her to operate a small animal boarding and grooming business at 3937 E. Indiana 26.

John Hemmelgarn, director of Jay/Portland Building and Planning, explained that the special exception was needed as the property — it is owned by Klarisa’s parents Doug and Karen Hemmelgarn — is zoned residential. He added that there are no issues with setbacks or any other aspects of Klarisa Hemmelgarn’s planned business.

Answering a question from the board, assistant building and planning director Pati McLaughlin confirmed that notices had been sent to the required adjacent property owners and that the department had received no objections. (The property is surrounded by farmland, with the closest homes about a third of a mile away.)

Board members Scott Hilfiker, Steve Ford and Marla Lutes voted in favor of the special exception. Kaleb Hemmelgarn, Klarisa’s brother, abstained. Angela Paxson was absent.

Klarisa Hemmelgarn said she hopes to open the business — Paws and Claws Pet Care — sometime this year. She plans to offer boarding for dogs and other small animals, pet grooming and pet daycare, and eventually hopes to sell pet-related products.

The board also re-elected Scott Hilfiker president, Angela Paxson vice president and Steve Ford secretary. McLaughlin was appointed as recording secretary.