Two more existing kennels were approved to operate after the fact by a local township zoning board.

On Thursday, West Cocalico Township Zoning Hearing Board approved a hobby breeder's small-scale kennel and a commercial kennel licensed by the state to house up to 500 dogs.

Both Homer Z. Eberly and Jay Weaver were operating kennels without the required township approval — in fact, Weaver said he's been operating his kennel without approval since 1992.

The board unanimously approved Eberly's kennel at 730 Indiantown Road, Stevens, with the condition that he never house more than six adult dogs at any time.

But the board took more time to consider approving a special exception for Weaver to operate his kennel at 645 Swamp Church Road, Reinholds.

Weaver indicated to the board that he did not know for the past 17 years that he needed approval from the zoning board to operate a kennel, even though, as board member Steven Laudenslager pointed out, Weaver knew he needed to obtain board approval several years ago when he began an equipment sales business at his 42-acre farm.

Weaver was repeatedly asked the same question by board members and those in the audience, and he repeatedly confirmed that his 73 breeder dogs are never allowed outside the 34-by-60-foot barn in which they're housed.

Board member Cory McQuate said his "hang-up" with Weaver's business is that the dogs are never allowed outside or exercised, but he voted to approve the business anyway.

McQuate asked Weaver if the state's Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement requires dogs be exercised, but Weaver did not directly answer the question, saying only that state kennel inspectors have inspected and passed his kennel.

State dog law regulations require all kennel dogs be permitted at least 20 minutes of exercise a day and access to outdoor runs, which Weaver said his kennel does not have.

Only Laudenslager voted against Weaver's kennel operation, but he would not comment on why he dissented.

Weaver was given the special exception to continue operating his kennel on the condition he never house more than 75 adult dogs at the kennel.

However, township manager Norma Enck, who represented township supervisors' concerns about the kennels, said that the state licensed Weaver to house up to 500 dogs.

She asked the zoning board how a 75-dog limit could be enforced.

Some board members said they didn't know how it could be enforced.

Asked after the meeting why kennel operators who operated for years without township approval were not penalized rather than approved, board member Kurt Eckenroad said, "Do you always drive 55 mph?"

But board member Terry Eberly said that the board may only approve or deny an application based on whether it meets requirements of the township's zoning ordinances.

E-mail: slindt@lnpnews.com