The Howlin’ Happy K9 Services & Training, a home-based dog-service business, was approved by the Liberty County Board of Commissioners.

John and Lana Stanley applied for a Type “B” Home Occupation, to use their home as the base of their business, with the goal of eventually moving into a facility. Their business will offer dog services such as basic dog grooming, dog training, pet-waste management, pet sitting and retail sales of dog-related products.

The Stanleys’ proposal was first presented to the Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission and was then amended.

The original proposal called for retail sales and dog-grooming services to be performed on their property. Some neighbors opposed the business, mainly citing excessive dog barking.

After that meeting, the Stanleys changed their proposal to address neighbors’ concerns. Dog-grooming services will be off-site; only retail sales and pet consultations will take place in their home. Pet owners will not bring their dogs to the consultation. No dogs will be on their property except the Stanleys’ own pets. The Stanleys informed their neighbors about the changes, and those who had opposed the business were not present at the Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday.

Lana Stanley spoke before the commissioners about their plan of moving into a facility.

“We already have a facility in mind that is zoned for the city of Midway, but as you all know, it takes a lot of paperwork to get loans,” she said. “It’s a very long process. We have to get the money, and we have to do the steps in order to get the facility. We have to start somewhere, and this is where we’re starting.”

According to county ordinances, services will be offered between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., and no more than two customers can be on the property at any time.

Commissioner Pat Bowen asked Stanley where the off-site dog training will take place. Stanley said it would be at dog-friendly parks in Savannah, the Bark Park in Richmond Hill, the Cisco Dog Park that is being constructed at Bryant Commons and Fort Stewart’s two dog parks.

Land acquisition

Commissioners also approved acquiring land in Fleming for a future recreation area.

County Administrator Joey Brown said the Liberty County Recreation Department and the commissioners have been looking to acquire property for a recreation park in the Fleming area for many years.

“This is 8.52 acres located at the corner of Beasleyville Road and Freedman Grove Road that will be used as a potential recreation site. There’s money allocated in the SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) program to make the acquisition at the purchase price of $50,008,” Brown said. “It was the sight of an old manufactured home, and there is a commercial well on the property. So it does include acquisition of the well also.”

Commissioner Eddie Walden called the location “an ideal spot.”

There is not yet a conceptual plan for the site.

Other business

Other issues that came up during Tuesday’s meeting included:

• Nils Gustavson, staff engineer for the LCPC, Liberty Regional Water Resources Council and Hinesville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, reviewed the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Long Range Transportation Plan.

• Commissioners approved opening negotiations with Holland and Holland Inc., for the construction of the Detective Services Building at the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office. They also approved bids for: road improvements, a mower for the Road Department, an excavator for drainage and an air conditioner for the Liberty County Courthouse Annex.

• The commissioners agreed to conduct November elections for Allenhurst.

• An easement request for J.V. Road was presented and will be discussed after further inspection.