Two businesses in Cumberland County will see public hearings with the Board of Supervisors following the Cumberland County Planning Commission’s decision to recommend the projects. One business permit will be tabled until the May planning commission meeting.

The first project is a conditional use permit for a deck and parking expansion for El Jinete Mexican Restaurant at 1875 Anderson Highway.

The outdoor shaded deck will act as additional space for customer seating, the meeting board packet cited.

“The proposed deck will measure 14 feet long and 24 feet wide,” the packet noted. “This will displace some parking spaces, which the owner intends to move to the rear of the property. The deck will be built in the front setback of the lot, which requires a CUP. The owner has met with the building official and knows what must be done to properly meet building code.”

The restaurant is located in a high intensity growth area, the packet noted.

In the application for the conditional use permit, Restaurant Owner and Applicant Ron Speas said the decking would solve an issue of overcrowding the restaurant has experienced.

“The tenants of the El Jinete Mexican Restaurant have established a positive and productive business over the past 3 years,” Speas said. “The business is rapidly outgrowing it’s (sic) existing space, and the proposed deck will offer additional seating space, and offer patrons the option to smoke if desired. Operating hours and expectations remain the same.”

Speas noted that the existing parking area at the rear of the restaurant would be expanded for additional parking spaces.

The public hearing for the deck and parking area will take place May 8.

A dog kennel is the next project to be recommended by the Cumberland County Planning Commission.

Kat Melendez, owner and applicant, is seeking a conditional use permit for Kat’s Kennel at 226 Kens Way, off of Route 60 and River Road.

The kennel is proposed to be on approximately 7.9 acres.

“The current kennel can hold up to 19 dogs, and there is room for planned expansion if there becomes a need,” the board packet noted.

Conditions recommended by the commission include animals being kept in pens and other enclosures in secure but safe conditions, having the kennel installed with climate control and sound absorbing material to reduce noise at adjacent properties and having the animals kept indoors from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. except during times where animals would briefly be escorted outside by staff. The original condition had hours between 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.. Melendez said normal business hours would be between 6:30 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Melendez said the kennel would house pets when owners are away and at work, and she said she would accept pets whose owners are no longer able to take care of them. When asked by Chairman William “Bill” Burger the estimated percentage of temporary boarded pets versus rescued pets, Melendez said the property would be a commercial business, meaning the majority of pets would be boarded.

Burger recommended drafting the kennel to hold 19 dogs, and in the event of an expansion, to return for a conditional use permit to expand the facility.

The discussion and decision to table the vote for 4-Wheel Drive Specialty Conversion Division, Inc. took place Monday after also being tabled during the March planning commission meeting.

The off-site collection, transportation and waste disposal business, which also performs other services, has created debate among members of the planning commission about how to rectify a violation of a prior conditional use permit for the property.

The violation concerned fencing at the business located at 1936 Cartersville Road, where hay bales are used as fencing along the roadway.

Planning and Zoning Director J.P.  Duncan said he had spoken with the surveyor for the property, Woodrow K. Cofer, but had not received an updated site plan for the property from Cofer or Mo Duncan, owner of 4-Wheel Drive Specialty Conversion Division.

Burger asked the board to send a letter to Mo Duncan, asking him to bring the updated site plan to the next commission meeting so that a vote could be held.