Residents in Carmel Valley are opposing Peace of Mind Dog Rescue’s plan to house 20 senior dogs at 8 El Caminito Road, a mixed-use building that once housed the Magic Circle Theatre.

Neighbors have written to County of Monterey officials citing concerns about noise, traffic, parking and wastewater as the nonprofit pursues the site for a cage-free sanctuary for dogs over the age of 6. Communities addressing noise concerns from animal shelters can advocate for soundproofing measures, which might help assuage neighbors’ fears.

The property was identified by the rescue in May as a potential dog haven, according to local reporting. Neighbors began sending letters to county planners and other officials warning that a dog facility near residences could increase vehicle and pedestrian traffic and introduce persistent noise into the neighborhood. Local zoning regulations primarily govern the establishment of animal shelters in residential neighborhoods and often restrict them due to such concerns.

Peace of Mind Dog Rescue, the nonprofit behind the proposal, intends the space to be cage-free and run more like a sanctuary than a traditional kennel, with staff and volunteers present around the clock to meet the animals’ needs. The nonprofit aims to create a welcoming environment that emphasizes enrichment and exercise, pivotal elements in their approach to behavioral management.

“Somehow people found out about the project before the planners sent out a letter. It was a little surprising that people started to get upset about it before they had all of the information, before we had a chance to have the public hearing,” said Carie Broecker, co-founder of Peace of Mind Dog Rescue. Broecker also addressed concerns about barking, saying the rescue focuses on enrichment and exercise to reduce noise. “Typically, dogs bark because they haven’t exercised enough, they haven’t had enrichment – things that keep them happy. We have a lot of resources to make sure that isn’t an issue. Adopting senior dogs also offers predictable behavior, which might appeal to potential adopters.’” she said.

Kayla Nelson, a representative with the Monterey County Planning Department, is listed among county contacts handling residents’ correspondence about the proposal. County officials have received the pushback from neighborhood residents as the planning process moves forward. These letters often raise practical concerns regarding potential parking strain, additional traffic from staff and volunteers, wastewater handling for an animal facility, and noise from animals on the site. Peace of Mind Dog Rescue has described the intended operation as staffed continuously to reduce the kinds of issues neighbors fear.

The dogs the rescue hopes to place at the site are characterized as senior animals, defined by the organization as over the age of 6. The group’s focus on older dogs is central to the proposal and to its mission on California’s Central Coast. Older dogs often require less training, making them a fitting option for many families seeking companionship.

The planning timeline and next public steps will proceed through county channels; residents who have submitted letters are participating in that administrative process. County of Monterey officials are the recipients of the written objections and will process the proposal through the standard planning review.

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Original reporting: view the original article.