Ken De La Bastide, The Herald Bulletin
February 18, 2025
ANDERSON — Rezoning for a proposed Animal Protection League animal sanctuary has been approved by the Madison County Board of Commissioners.
The commissioners Tuesday approved the rezoning from residential to agricultural for the site on Madison Avenue, located just south of Interstate 69.
The Madison County Plan Commission last week gave the rezoning of nine acres a favorable recommendation.
Larry Strange, director of the Madison County Planning Department, said area residents at the Plan Commission meeting raised concerns about noise and traffic. He said about eight people spoke about the rezoning at the meeting.
In September, the Animal Protection League decided not to go forward with a planned animal sanctuary in the 5100 block of Ind. 32.
“They have looked at other sites,” Strange said. “There was a lot of opposition to the Ind. 32 site.”
He said the Madison County Board of Zoning Appeals, which is expected to consider a special use request at its Feb. 25 meeting, can place conditions on the operation of the sanctuary.
Strange said the agricultural zoning could allow residential development of the property.
“The property owners would still have options if the animal sanctuary request is denied,” he said.
Commissioner John Richwine said he believed the rezoning request was not unreasonable.
Strange said the sanctuary would house healthy animals for adoption.
He noted the Animal Protection League site on Dewey Street is overcrowded and the organization wants to conduct educational programs at the Madison Avenue site.
The Ed Martin Auto Group is providing the funding.
The intention is to house a maximum of 150 dogs and 100 cats at the facility.
Derek Manis with the Animal Protection League previously said plans include building a berm and planting trees to mitigate any sounds coming from the sanctuary.
“At night it will be a quieter environment,” he said in describing the anticipated effect of the berm. “People will hear dogs barking during the day.
“We want to be a good neighbor,” Manis added. “We will do everything we possibly can.”
OTHER BUSINESS
The commissioners approved an ordinance for the creation of a personnel board for Madison County.
As proposed, the board would consist of five voting members. Three members would be appointed by commissioners, two by county council, and the director of human resources would serve as a non-voting member.
The board would review and make recommendations on policies concerning employment, promotion, discipline and discharge of county employees, and would advise commissioners and council on personnel policy matters and administration, as well as hearing appeals from employees.
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