Two Seymour residents starting businesses on their property have gained the necessary city approval to move forward with their plans.
Tara Sutherland requested a land use variance at 1365 N. County Road 700E to use an existing 70-by-40-foot building to start a dog breeding business, while Daniel Croquart requested a land use variance at 10815 E. County Road 700N to run a gun shop business out of an existing building.
Both needed approval from the city’s plan commission and board of zoning appeals because the properties are within the 2-mile fringe.
During meetings this month, the plan commission voted 10-0 on both petitions with city Engineer Bernie Hauersperger absent, and those favorable recommendations went to the BZA, which voted 5-0 on both.
Plan commission member Rick Schleibaum asked Sutherland how many dogs she anticipated having at one time, and she said six to eight. Then she would breed them and ship them off to be service dogs or pets. The types of dogs she will be importing and breeding are English bulldogs and European Rottweilers.
Don Bruce asked Sutherland if there would ever be 20 or more dogs there, and she said usually not unless there was a time when there would be two litters. She, however, said she will try to stagger the litters, and if that would happen, it would only last for 10 weeks.
Commission member Bret Cunningham said he has some concerns about other people wanting to do the same thing and wants to make sure this doesn’t turn into puppy mills. He asked city attorney Christina Engleking if a limitation could be placed on how many animals could be onsite, and she said that it could be done, but it would be hard to enforce due to never knowing how many dogs are born in a litter.
Sutherland then said if she had more than 20 dogs at a time, she would need to get a commercial breeding license, and she has no intention of being that kind or size of business.
Schleibaum made a motion to approve with the stipulation it not exceed 20 dogs, and it was seconded and passed.
During the BZA meeting, no members asked any questions after Sutherland briefly spoke about her plans.
She had originally announced her plans to establish an ethical breeding program and kennel via Facebook in October 2021. She’s naming it Haus des Beschützers TWT Kennel. The first part translates to “house of the protector.”
“The idea has been in my mind for years, and now, there is nothing holding me back,” she wrote. “I have met amazing breeders that have become friends and are willing to help guide the adventure. I now have a daughter at Purdue studying pre-vet med who is also as eager to begin. And can’t forget the puppy expert and manager, Lyndsay Hudson. I am beyond excited to teach people about the breeds and help connect people.”
For Croquart’s request, he told the plan commission he would be more of a custom gun painting and engraving business and would have low inventory. He also said he is in the process of getting his federal firearms license. Approval of the city boards was the first step.
The city building commissioner’s office had received a call from an adjoining neighbor that he was OK with the business as long as no guns would be fired outside or inside.
Commission member Dan Robison asked Croquart what he would be doing day to day, and Croquart said customizing guns for people (engraving, painting, etc.). He doesn’t expect to have more than two customers at a time, and they could come in the shop or order online.
Dave Eggers, who is a member of the plan commission and BZA, told the BZA members that when Croquart described the business to the commission, it “seemed to be a pretty standard operation.”
Building Commissioner Jeremy Gray said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will be sending him some paperwork to sign showing Croquart’s business is correctly zoned to operate.
Croquart said his custom gun accessory shop will be called Hollow Point Industries.