Milford Township Supervisors have referred LuJean Griffin-Young, owner and operator of Camp Jean’s, to the Bucks County township’s zoning hearing board because the business violates zoning regulations in the RA (Rural Agricultural) District.
After nearly two hours of testimony at a public hearing March 6, which was continued from a January meeting, supervisors concluded they could not provide conditional use for the business.
Camp Jean’s currently does not meet the required 200-foot setback from Brick Tavern Road or adjacent property lines, which is part of the zoning ordinance regulations.
“We are unable to grant you a waiver or change the zoning requirements,” said Supervisor Tom Courduff.
Supervisors granted a 60-day continuation, rather than deny the application, to allow enough time for Griffin-Young and her legal counsel to apply for zoning variance or waivers from the zoning hearing board.
After the ZHB hears and rules on the matter, it will go back to township supervisors for a decision.
Four neighbors who are parties in the Camp Jean’s legal proceedings attended the public hearing.
The neighbors unanimously agreed excessive noise from dogs barking and safety concerns over car traffic in and out of the property, along with sound barrier fencing and a failure to meet the setback requirements topped their list of objections to Camp Jean’s operation.
“I am a property owner who lives across from a dog kennel that is not legally based on the zoning ordinance” said Robert Forney of Brick Tavern Road.
In 2006 Griffin-Young opened Camp Jean’s on about 11 acres.
She said when she opened the business, she spoke with township officials and claimed permits were not required for her to open the business.
Forney said Camp Jean’s was “discovered” in August and that permit applications and compliance with zoning regulations is required now. “She’s had a seven-
month extension since August,” Forney said.
Another neighbor, Roxie Richards, said noise, car safety and questions over the future use of the property included its sale, and whether or not an expanded dog boarding and kennel facility would be permitted there.
Camp Jean’s, at 2200 Brick Tavern Road, offers dog day care and overnight boarding services for small dogs, defined as those under 21 inches tall.
The earliest supervisors can address Camp Jean’s conditional use will be at their next business meeting, scheduled for May 7, after her case is heard by the township zoning hearing board.
