P&Z approves pet crematory

SANDPOINT — A proposed animal clinic and pet crematorium was unanimously approved by the Bonner County Planning & Zoning Commission on Tuesday.

The Center Valley Veterinary Hospital would be located off U.S. Highway 95 and Hidden Meadow Lane. The facility would offer veterinary services and limited boarding, in addition to cremation services for household pets.

Veterinarian Kathy Caldwell and her husband, David, emphasized that the facility would have a state-of-the-art incinerator which will keep emissions well within U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Idaho Department of Environmental Quality standards.

Kathy Caldwell said the incinerator will feature a secondary burn chamber.

“It’s designed specifically to address emissions,” she said.

Nearly two dozen people testified during Tuesday’s hearing on a conditional use permit for the operation. Most testified in support of the proposal.

Supporters vouched for the Caldwells’ professionalism and the growing need for additional pet crematory services in Bonner County.

The couple currently operates an existing facility at the end of Strawberry Creek Road, which has drawn complaints from a neighbor. TLC Pet Services is also the subject of a pending zoning violation.

County officials contend the current facility is operating without a permit.

Although there was testimony regarding the existing operation, Planning Director Clare Marley told the board it was not germane to the application they were considering.

“It’s really immaterial to this project,” she said.

Lori Cometto, a vocal opponent and neighbor of TLC, urged commissioners to deny the Center Valley proposal and questioned DEQ’s requirement that the Center Valley Hospital monitor its own emissions.

Other neighbors of the existing operation, however, disputed that there are smoke or odor problems.

“I’ve never seen smoke from any of their burnings,” neighbor Cindy Beebe said.

Other neighbors said the operation is so low-key they were unaware a crematorium was even being operated on the mountain.

Still, some neighbors in Center Valley remain wary of operation due to noise, traffic and odor concerns.

“I do have reservations about a commercial operation in our area,” added neighbor Jack Klein.

Concerns were also raised about future expansions of the facility, but David Caldwell sought to allay such worries by pointing out that the operation will remain modest.

“We’re not empire builders,” he said.

The commission’s discussion centered on conditions of approval.

Commissioner Margaret Hall proposed downward-shielded lighting to preserve the night sky and limiting operations to normal business hours, with allowances for emergency situations. Commissioner Nan Berger recommended animal-resistance garbage containers.

The commission also adopted a DEQ recommendation that incineration be limited strictly to household pets, which means medical waste cannot be burned.