Animal Rescue Faces Zoning Challenges in Crown Point

A nonprofit animal rescue organization is reaching out to residents in Crown Point for support after facing obstacles with the local Board of Zoning Appeals regarding their preferred location. During the meeting on August 24, board members unanimously opposed the rezoning of a property for New Leash on Life’s proposed 20,000-square-foot facility at 12430 South Court Street.

New Leash on Life plans to present their project to the Crown Point City Council for a vote on September 8 at Crown Point City Hall, located at 101 N. East Street. A computer graphic rendering of the shelter’s exterior has already been released by New Leash on Life.

A nearby community of luxury homes and a building contractor expressed concerns about rezoning 19 acres of undeveloped land for the proposed animal shelter and low-cost veterinary clinic in southern Crown Point. Residents raised issues about potential noise, property values, traffic, and allergens. The board members have also received 60 to 70 letters from people voicing objections to the project.

Donna Burrell Pace, the founder of New Leash on Life, expressed surprise at the board’s decision. She urged supporters to contact Crown Point council members by email, letter, or phone before the city council meeting on September 8.

‘They need to write letters, make phone calls, and show up on September 8th to support us and show the council this is needed in Crown Point,’ Pace stated. She emphasized the importance of the shelter in collaboration with the St. Jude House, ensuring the safety of pets belonging to domestic violence survivors. The proposed location would also provide a facility for police to bring animals found in emergencies.

The property is currently an open field zoned as Residential Zone 1, situated near Burrell Drive and Court Street, north of St. Jude House, and across from the Dean and Barbara White Southlake YMCA. Pace mentioned selecting the property for its proximity to other nonprofit facilities, along with a natural buffer of wooded areas and a pond.

BZA Vice-Chairman Jeremy Taylor moved for an unfavorable recommendation for the nonprofit’s petition, and BZA member John Marshall seconded it, with all members voting in agreement.

The proposed petition and operation would introduce a different intensity of use compared to existing surrounding properties,’ Taylor said. He cited setbacks, buffering, fencing, landscaping, and mitigation measures as insufficient to protect the adjoining properties adequately.

Rick Mossell, owner of Heartland Builders of Northwest Indiana and a partner in the Golden Meadows Subdivision, located directly south of the proposed facility, raised concerns during the public comment period.

‘We bought that property knowing it was zoned residential,’ Mossell expressed. ‘The potential noise from barking dogs in outside kennels would be disruptive. Even with mentioned trees and proposed barriers, the noise is unavoidable.’

Diana Murray, a resident of Golden Meadows, echoed concerns about noise, citing experiences with sounds from the nearby YMCA’s summer programs and fairground noises, despite the presence of trees.

Engineering firm DVG Team Inc. analyzed the site, noting a southwest home lies 650 feet away with tree buffers ranging from 50 to 140 feet. The nearest northern residence is 320 feet away with 250 feet of trees, while a home across the pond is 750 feet away with 150 feet of tree coverage.

Caleb Kreis, project manager for New Leash on Life, assured that their designs follow state-of-the-art standards to address noise concerns, collaborating with renowned architects and contractors experienced in similar facilities across the nation.

‘Our shelter and low-cost veterinary clinic embrace a comprehensive approach as a pet adoption resource center. Few facilities of this type exist nationwide, making this both beneficial for the community and the animals,’ Kreis explained.

Anna Schoon, executive director of St. Jude House, expressed strong support for the proposed rezoning. With 69 percent of individuals owning pets, half delay leaving dangerous situations due to fears for their pets’ safety.

‘The location allows survivors to have their pets nearby and visit them daily. Volunteering with animals can also be healing for those who’ve experienced violence,’ Schoon shared.

The Crown Point Community Foundation aims to build a facility on the adjacent acreage New Leash on Life wishes to develop. Mary Nielsen, president of the Foundation, stated plans for a single-story office complex on a 6.27-acre lot. The natural landscape is ideal for walking paths for people and pets.

‘The CPCF welcomes New Leash on Life as a philanthropic neighbor. The south corridor of Crown Point is a hub for purpose-driven organizations including Crown Point High School, Eisenhower Elementary School, and others,’ Nielsen added.

The Foundation’s zoning change petition has already been approved by the City Council and the Plan Commission, with hopes to finalize development and occupy the new facility by mid-2027.