A proposed dog kennel in northern Bartholomew County has been denied. That’s after a crowd of sign-waving animal advocates turned out to last night’s county board of zoning appeals meeting to protest the plan, filling the downstairs meeting room at the Columbus airport to overflow.

Opponents talked passionately about their love for their dogs and their distaste for what they called a puppy mill proposed on the property. Among those protesting were neighbors who were concerned about the noise and property values, and a former owner of the property who said her family would be rolling over in their graves if they knew what was being planned there.

Chad Miller said he owns the neighboring property, 1,500 feet from the location of the proposed kennel.

Aaron and Lena Oberholtzer asked for the ability to construct the kennel on a farm at County Road 950N and Road 500E in Flatrock Township. They planned to breed up to 100 adult dogs at a time at the location. The property is zoned for Agriculture (Preferred) but a dog breeding operation requires the approval of a conditional use for the property.

Rhetta Glick said that the farmland had been in her family for 200 years before being sold. She believes the Oberholtzers are wonderful people but their plans were causing her a heavy heart.

Ultimately, the board voted 4-1 to turn down the request, citing concerns about the proper use of prime farmland and suggesting that the operation was more appropriate in a commercial area.

The crowd waved their red and white signs in anticipation of the decision and erupted in cheers after the proposal was turned down.