Editor's Column: Proposed SPCA important for community

Last week, the Stafford County Planning Commission put off its recommendation to the county’s board of supervisors regarding a conditional-use permit for a proposed Stafford SPCA. You can check out the full story in this week’s Stafford County Sun.

Bill Hoyt, who purchased the former Brooke Nursing Home off Andrew Chapel Road intending to start the SPCA, is backed by the county board, which is serving as the applicant.

But the planning commission, as well as some neighbors of the proposed SPCA, each has concerns and questions.

A planning commission public hearing was held last week — a great start. In addition, the neighbors who are expressing concerns should have their thoughts heard and addressed through the entire process, which they likely will, through things like a board of supervisors’ public hearing, or even a meeting with Hoyt and the county that will allow them to set their fears at ease, should the facility ultimately be approved. Compromising may be key in this project.

Additionally, larger issues such as concerns about disease and environmental impact should be first addressed. If these are not issues to be concerned about, neighbors should be told why so that their minds can be set at ease. If they should be concerned, what can be done about this to deter problems? Or, is this specific plan a good idea?

Other issues should be addressed completely, too, Questions should be answered regarding any additional traffic, hours and anything more besides a shelter that Hoyt may have in mind. For example, a wildlife rehabilitation area was discussed.

Perhaps additional planning and more details are needed, and perhaps the county can help facilitate this. Once June rolls around, the planning commission will have this issue on the table again. Perhaps there will be more answers then.

But what is clear is this.

Hoyt’s purchase and intention with this land is an opportunity that would be a terrible shame to waste. Each day, countless animals die in shelters waiting for homes. So much good can be done with this project that it is inconceivable that the county could let it slip away.

Even homeowners who don’t want this project in their back yard have voiced the opinion that the facility is a worthy and admirable goal. But to make it happen, the shelter must go somewhere. And, the county apparently agreed that the project was for the good of the entire community, or it would not have agreed to serve as the applicant.

There is clearly a way to gather more details, address concerns, pull together what is needed and save a lot of animals’ lives along the way. Let’s hope this can be done.

Tracy Bell is managing editor of the Stafford County Sun. Reach her at info@staffordcountysun.com.