Rockbridge
A commercial kennel for the breeding of German Shepherd Pointers and German Shepherds is planned for a property off of East Midland Trail, just outside Buena Vista.
Jake and Brenna Tomlin have applied for a special exception permit to establish the commercial kennel breeding operation on their property at 115 Emerald Lane on the south side of East Midland Trail (U.S. 60) in the agricultural transitional (AT) zoning district. They own 22.93 acres, and the property is located approximately.294 of-amile west of the intersection of East Midland Trail (U.S. 60) and Forge Road. (Va. 608).
A deputy sheriff with the Rockbridge County sheriff’s office, Jake Tomlin said he has developed a strong interest in working alongside police dogs who perform air-free sniffs of narcotics. His fascination with the capabilities of German Shepherd Pointers and German Shepherds, he said, led him to want to provide highly capable working dogs to law enforcement.
Over time, he plans to build 11 indoor/outdoor kennels within and attached to an existing 1,500 square foot barn. His future goal is to have six German Shepherd females and two males and two German Shepherd females and one male.
The Rockbridge County Planning Commission on June 11 recommended that the Tomlins be granted a special exception permit for operating a commercial kennel that could have up to 11 breeding dogs of the specified breeds, inclusive of visiting male studs but exclusive of personal pets.
B&B Advances
A special exception permit to operate a bed and breakfast homestay at 926 Maury River Road was recommended by the Rockbridge County Planning Commission June 11 for Michael W. Godfrey and Laurie-An Lanpher.
The house is located on the east side of Maury River Road (Va. 39), approximately 1.15 miles north of the intersection with Alphin Lane (Va. 750). The property is in the residential general (R-1) zoning district.
The couple live full-time in the main portion of the house, which is attached to two bedroom suites that are to be rented through the Airbnb platform. They have a horse farm behind their house, and the property is adjacent to the Virginia Horse Center. The horse farm and the VHC property are in the agricultural transitional (AT) zoning district.
The target clientele for the short-term rentals will be people attending equestrian events at the VHC.
