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City Council takes 1st step toward banning dog kennels

OCNJ Daily's weekly newsletter

May 15, 2025

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In this week's newsletter ...

🐶 The doggie hotel saga may be finally over

Donald Wittkowski | OCNJ Daily

The controversial concept for a downtown daycare center and hotel for canines appears to be completely kaput.

City Council unanimously introduced an ordinance that would close off any possible legal pathway for a dog kennel in Ocean City. “Anything that constitutes a kennel” would be ineligible for a mercantile license under the language, according to City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson. The ordinance would supersede one City Council passed earlier this year that made licensure possible if an applicant had already secured a zoning variance.

That ordinance opened the door for a proposed doggie hotel and kennel at a commercial building on Seventh Street. The proposal fell one vote short of gaining a zoning variance approval in March and the developer has since listed the building for $879,900.

But the owner had left the door open to appealing the zoning board decision, sparking significant outcry against the possibility from business leaders and residents. Those opposed expressed concerns the project would harm the surrounding neighborhood, alleging the venue would bring incessant noise from barking, foul odors and poop-filled lawns, ultimately driving down property values.

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Thursday, May 15

  • Afternoon thunderstorm | 57% chance of rain | High of 67, low of 60

Friday, May 16

  • Evening thunderstorm | 40% chance of rain | High of 71, low of 62

Saturday, May 17

  • Some sun with a t-storm | 80% chance of rain | High of 79, low of 65

  • Southern N.J. Heart Walk | Ocean City Civic Center | 8:30 a.m. start, more details here

  • Walk SONJ | Starts at Ocean City Music Pier | 10 a.m. to noon, more details here

  • Community Health & Wellness Fair | Ocean City Masonic Lodge | 10 a.m. to noon, more details here

Sunday, May 18

  • Windy with sun | 2% chance of rain | High of 78, low of 57

  • Chica de Mayo | Ocean City Skate Park | 10 a.m., more details here

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⛱️ Elsewhere around the shore

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