HOWELL – An applicant who was seeking municipal approval to use a residence as a dog breeding location and a residence for employees has withdrawn the application from the Howell Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Cream Puff Farms was seeking a use variance and site plan approval from the board to use a home at 31 Rappleyea Road as a residence for its employees in connection with the breeding and weaning of Australian Labradoodles.
Testimony offered to the board in January indicated Cream Puff Farms purchased the home on Rappleyea Road in late 2014. The residence had been used for the business since early 2015. Testimony indicated the owner was subsequently instructed to seek the use variance and site plan approval.
On Aug. 16, with testimony expected to continue, board members informed the public that attorney Jason Rittie had submitted a letter on behalf of Cream Puff Farms stating that his client was withdrawing the application without prejudice.
Rittie informed the board the applicant purchased a property in another municipality that will permit the business to operate. He said the business will not operate on Rappleyea Road in Howell.
According to Howell’s zoning officer, the applicant’s decision solves the code violation that brought the matter before the zoning board. The zoning officer will monitor the Rappleyea Road property to ensure no commercial activity takes place.
