Kennel proposed for west side retail area: Barkefellers planned for Columbus Crossing

A boarding, grooming and training facility for dogs sought for the west side of Columbus will be reviewed by city-county planners on its appropriateness for the Columbus Crossing retail development.

Barkefellers, which has three locations in Indianapolis, is seeking approval from the city to move ahead with plans for a 25,000-square-foot building on the north side of Merchant’s Mile and west of Morgan Willow Trace.

The proposal, which went before the Columbus Plan Commission on Wednesday, would provide boarding, daycare, grooming and training for dogs, said Jeff Rocker, a Columbus attorney representing H&K Coffey Properties LLC.

Rocker appeared before the commission with Rick Coffey, president of Barkefellers, and Herb Coffey, franchisee of the business, to discuss plans for the project. The facility initially anticipates providing daycare to 30 dogs per day and would have indoor play areas, Rocker said. It would also have a large outdoor play area with astroturf, he said.

The business, which would be open seven days a week, hopes to eventually provide service for an average of 60 dogs and would have the ability to board 10 to 20 cats, Herb Coffey said.

“We think there’s a unique opportunity to bring this to the city,” Coffee said.

The commission was asked to amend permitted uses under the Columbus Crossing Planned Unit Development to include a kennel and a final plan to allow the kennel to be placed in the area.

However, city-county planning director Jeff Bergman said he is not yet convinced that Barkefellers is appropriate for the location, requesting more time to look at its use and the size of the structure.

Bergman said information presented during the meeting wasn’t available to the plan commission or planning department staff in advance.

Commission member Russ Poling, however, said he was comfortable moving forward with the project as proposed.

Fellow commission member Dave Fisher also backed the project, despite saving he had initial concerns about it.

“This probably is a reasonable use,” Fisher said.

The commission voted 7-2 to continue the matter until its Nov. 14 meeting to give the planning department more time to evaluate information received during the meeting. Fisher and Roger Lang voted against the motion.

After the vote, Poling and commission member Dave Hayward said they felt taking more time on the matter was appropriate.

“I need more evidence,” Hayward said.

After the meeting, Bergman said the city wants to understand what the implications will be if Barkefellers is allowed to operate on the site. Noise is one factor to consider, he said.

Bergman said his department would check with neighboring businesses such as Buffalo Wild Wings and McAlister’s Deli to get their input on the proposal. The planning department is required to send notifications to neighboring property owners about cases that come before the Columbus Plan Commission.

Rocker said he and his clients would digest the recommendations from the plan commission and meet any necessary requirements.

A revision to the preliminary PUD plan would require approval from Columbus City Council. If the proposal is approved by the city, Barkefellers would open in eight to 10 months, Herb Coffey said.

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The Columbus Plan Commission will consider a request for Barkefellers, a lodging, daycare, grooming and training facility, during its 4 p.m. meeting Nov. 14 at the Columbus City Hall, 123 Washington St.

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