Kennel would render ‘good life’ impossible

To the editor

   Robin Blair’s proposal to open a dog day care center at 454 Amwell Rd., in direct proximity to the 75 homes of the Manors at Hillsborough, should be rejected by the township’s Board of Adjustment as detrimental to the Hillsborough’s overall quality of life.
   Ms. Blair’s intent is to operate an indoor-outdoor facility, which could be open seven days per week, for twelve hours per day, and could accommodate up to 50 dogs of different breeds and sizes. She proposes to fence an area of 1.25 acres for use as an outdoor play area, to which the dogs would have unrestricted access.
   During her testimony last Wednesday to the Board of Adjustment, Ms. Blair declared her intention to be a "good neighbor" to the nearby residents, while freely admitting that there will be barking, which could negatively affect both these residents and the several varieties of wildlife, which live in the woods on the property.
   The meeting, which will be continued on Jan. 22, also raised several unanswered questions regarding the detriment of such a business upon the Manors’ property values, the owners’ quality of life, and the environmental impact on the Royce Brook from the outdoor toileting of 50 dogs.
   I respectfully urge the Board of Adjustment to reject this use variance application and urge all concerned Hillsborough residents to attend the next Board of Adjustment meeting on Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. I believe that this proposed business would make it impossible for Hillsborough residents to enjoy "The Good Life," which drew so many of us to this attractive, peaceful area.

Michael Kosec
Manor Drive