Local dog owners might soon have a designated area to let their dogs run and play.
Plans for the first public dog park in Seymour are moving forward.
The proposal received a nod of approval from the nine-member Seymour Plan Commission late last week.
Commissioners unanimously approved a request from Pet Supplies Plus located in the Eastside Industrial Park to rezone property in front of the business from I-2, industrial zoning, to C-2, commercial zoning.
The zoning change allows for the property to be used for the dog park.
The request now goes before the board of zoning appeals at 7 p.m. June 23.
The pet distribution and warehouse facility is creating the dog park primarily for the community, company representative Kerry Stigdon said Thursday night.
“It’s part of our giving back to the community,” he said in response to Commissioner Kenny Pfaffenberger’s question of why the company wanted to create a dog park.
The park is being proposed for a 110- by 200-foot piece of grassy area that makes up the lawn in front of the office of Pet Supplies Plus at 1510 E. Fourth St.
The property is owned by Centurion Investments, which provided the city with a letter of support for the project.
Commissioner and city engineer Nathan Frey asked about access to the park and how the company would keep it safe and secure.
Stigdon said the park would be fenced in and open only during the day light hours.
“We have 24-hour security on site and a camera on the front lawn,” he said.
Commissioner Rick Schleibaum said he thought the park was a good idea.
“They’re very successful in big cities,” he said. “I’m anxious to see how it’s received in Seymour.”
Plan commission member John Reinhart said the city has talked about wanting a dog park for years.
“They even looked at one time at Freeman Field, putting one out there,” he said. “This would be a place people could go and not have to worry about coyotes getting their pets.”
Stigdon said the park would be separated into two areas, one for bigger dogs and the other for small dogs.
Stigdon said the first row of spots in the company’s parking lot will be designated for the dog park.