The Humane Society of Harford County has pulled its application for a zoning variance on its planned new dog park.
A hearing on the variance request for the dog park at the society's headquarters in Fallston had been scheduled for this Wednesday, Jan. 25, before a Board of Appeals hearing examiner.
David Fang, president of the Humane Society's board of directors, said the organization will be trying other tactics to get the dog park formally recognized.
"We pulled the zoning hearing primarily because the county at present doesn't have a zoning classification for animal shelters or sanctuaries, so any organizations that fall into that category are trying to fit the round peg of that category into the square hole of that zoning code," he said.
Fang said the society is hopeful the Harford County Council will consider legislation to address the issue.
That legislation is still being developed and he understands it will be on the council's calendar before the end of February.
"We don't think variances are the appropriate way to deal with this type of issue because it affects not just us, it affects folks like Luna's House [Animal Care and Education Center, in Edgewood]," he said. "It's ridiculous to keep trying to cram that round peg in a square hole."
The society has an existing dog park on its 25-acre Connolly Road property for about five years. A county zoning official said last month that the existing park does not appear to have a variance, although it may have had one at some time. The matter was being researched, he said.
The nonprofit Humane Society filed the zoning request in November, regarding a required 200-foot setback for the new dog park. The park would be about two acres and provide more access for parking, according to the county and the society.
An adjoining property owner, Michael Euler, said last month he planned to oppose the larger dog park and likewise questioned if the existing park is legal.