APPLE VALLEY, Calif. (VVNG.com) – A new pet boarding facility is on the horizon for Apple Valley, thanks to a local dentist who recognized a gap in the community’s pet care services.
Joseph Eiswert, the owner of SmileMakers in Apple Valley, located next to the proposed site, is working to bring a modern dog kennel and pet villa to the area.
The proposed 11,192-square-foot facility, known as the High Desert Pet Resort, will be located on Outer Highway 18 near Yanan Road and is designed to offer 24/7 boarding for dogs, cats, and other pets legally allowed to be owned in the State of California.
The proposed facility will be located on vacant land between SmileMakers and Fat Jack’s Bar and Grill, which has been closed for some time now.
It will include 70 dog villas, a cat room, a grooming area, offices, and a caretaker’s residence. This new facility aims to fill a significant need in the High Desert, where residents often have to drive out of town for reliable pet boarding services.
In terms of operations, the future High Desert Pet Resort is set to operate Monday through Saturday, with intake and discharge of pets scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
3The facility will also have designated visiting hours from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Additionally, the resort anticipates employing five staff members to ensure smooth operations.
As part of the planning process, the applicant is requesting the Planning Commission’s review and approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow the construction and operation of an animal care facility.
This permit would cover various aspects of the facility, including an animal hospital, veterinarian services, a commercial kennel, a caretaker’s residence, and grooming services with exterior kennels—all to be housed within one fully enclosed structure.
The idea for the facility stemmed from the personal experience of Mr. Joseph Eiswert and his wife, Rachel Eiswert, as pet owners. They would drive down to Upland to board their dogs because they trusted the services there.
As a longtime resident and business owner, Eiswert noted that many of his patients have expressed a similar need for a local kennel. His new venture, which would be built adjacent to his dental office, is aimed at making life easier for local pet owners.
During the March 5 Planning Commission meeting, a resident raised concerns, including potential noise disruptions.
The nearby homeowner spoke about the peace and quiet she enjoys in her backyard and expressed worries about how the facility might affect her property value and her peace.
To address these concerns, Steeno said the facility has been designed with sound mitigation in mind, with the building itself acting as a buffer.
In another point of discussion, the applicant requested to avoid the expensive task of burying power lines on the property, which could cost an estimated $250,000.
Instead, they proposed to tap into overhead power lines along Outer Highway 18, a solution that has been used for other buildings in the area.
This request to remove that stipulation of buying the powerpowerlineslines will need to go before the Apple Valley City Council, where he may receive approval to avoid burying the lines.
Despite these challenges, the Planning Commission voted in favor of the project, with four votes in favor and one member absent.
With SmileMakers already bringing smiles to the faces of patients as a dental practice, Eiswert is now set to become a ‘smile-maker’ in a different industry, bringing joy to pet owners and their furry friends through this new pet boarding facility.
