Dog rescue zoning hearing delayed

A zoning violation appeal hearing that could affect the future of nearly 30 dogs, and the Pineville-based rescue group that has saved them, has been delayed until late February, according to the rescue group’s leader.

Lisa Roney, who founded Hope for All Dogs, said she has still not received “any letters or official documents” as to when the appeal board will hear their case.

“I got ... email from one of the clerks (that) it would be late February,” she said. “I have a follow-up email into them asking for the appeal date.

Originally, volunteer Marissa Edwards told South Charlotte News that the zoning appeal was Jan. 29.

Nearly 30 dogs are kept at a kennel in the Steele Creek area, a residential home belonging to Roney on Falling Tree Court that has been cited for a possible zoning violation. Volunteer Autumn Chandler has said that animals will eventually be euthanized at local kill shelters if the zoning conflict cannot be resolved.

The property is in the Old Whitehall neighborhood off of South Tryon Street. The two-story home features a large graveled side yard and a spacious basement exclusively for larger, healthier dogs to reside in kennels when not outside. Roney keeps smaller, disabled dogs upstairs.

Edwards said that Roney has run the shelter for nearly 10 years, devoting the group’s mission to placing older and disabled dogs to good homes. Chandler said that Hope for All Dogs applied for and received non-profit status this past summer.

According to the Dec. 4 zoning notice of violation summary delivered to Roney’s home from Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Code Enforcement Division, the nonprofit kennel is to “cease and desist operating commercial business within 30 days to avoid monetary citations as no zoning approvals have been issued. Commercial kennel not permitted in residential zones. City of Charlotte zoning code only permits kennels and kennel uses in some commercial districts, operation of kennel in residential district is not permitted….” Barry Moseley of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Department said in December that residents who are cited with zoning violations in their district can request a variance, appeal the violation or correct the violation.