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Buena Vista City Council voted 5-2 on April 18 to approve a conditional use permit for Mary Huffman’s cat shelter at 2463 Beech Ave.
The shelter for up to 30 cats is going into the back portion of a commercial building used by Huffman Auction Sales that was formerly the location of Flowers & Things.
The shelter is to utilize 504 square feet of the 1,944-square-foot building. The property is located in the mixed business district within the Seminary Hill overlay district. Animal kennels are allowed in the district with a conditional use permit.
Michelle Poluikis praised the work Huffman has done to address in humane ways the issue of stray cats in the area. Huffman has long been an advocate for stray cats, engaging in the practice of trap, neuter/spay and release in which the captured cats are also vaccinated against rabies. She is involved in finding foster and forever homes through her affiliation with Furever Friends and Cats Unlimited.
A motion by Poluikis to approve the conditional use permit was seconded by Ron Cash. It passed 5-2, over the dissents of Melvin Henson and Steve Webb.
Henson questioned whether approving a cat shelter would set a precedent whereby Council would be obligated to approve a dog shelter in a similar location, if requested, at some point in the future.
“A cat shelter would not set a precedent for a dog shelter,” responded Tom Roberts, director of community development. “There are different needs – meaningful differences. The criteria for the uses are very different.”
Todd Jones said he’s read a lot about feral cats roaming at large and how they pose a danger to wildlife, specifically birds. Starting a shelter, he said, represented a “step forward in establishing regulations. We’re making the best of the situation.”
