Slowly but surely we are moving forward. Preliminary sketches for the new shelter are complete and provide an encouraging look at where we're headed. Special thanks to Joey White and Reedy & Sykes for their continued help with this project.

Commission Approves Conceptual Plans for Animal Shelter

The Elizabethton Regional Planning Commission Tuesday evening unanimously approved the conceptual site plans for a new Elizabethton-Carter County Animal Shelter, which may provide a boost in fundraising efforts for the facility. The conceptual plans call for the animal shelter to be moved to the east side of the city's property. This would move the animal shelter to the opposite side of the wastewater treatment plant from where it is currently located. The new building will contain 6,000 square feet which is significantly larger than the current building which is estimated to be near 1,000 square feet.

"The building will be much bigger than the existing building," said architect Joey White, who developed the conceptual plans for the new shelter facility.

The office space in the proposed building will be 120 feet by 50 feet wide. The facility is planned to have many more cat kennels and dog kennels with outdoor runs attached. The plans for the building include indoor and outdoor dog and cat play spaces as well as room for expansion and more parking. Adjustments were made to the site plan to accommodate for any future construction of State Route 91 or the Northern Connector. White noted the use of the land still has to be approved by city council since it is on a city-owned lot. Commissioners questioned the number of pets that are brought to the shelter. It was reported at least 300 dogs and many more cats are brought in every month with the adoption rate running consistently at less than 10 percent.

"We are hoping that by making more runs and kennels it will give the pets more time for adoption," White said.

The Carter County-Elizabethton Animal Shelter Building Committee has been working for several months on fundraising efforts for the construction of a new animal shelter. Ornduff stated an approval of the site plans will show future investors that the project is under way and moving forward. Commissioner Manuel Bandarra noted the new shelter is "badly needed" and commissioner Ken Markland stated it is "long overdue." The commission also approved a new hangar to be built at the Elizabethton Municipal Airport. The plans for the hangar showed the building would be 150 feet by 80 feet and was described as a heated corporate hangar.

"We are building the new hangar to better serve our existing customers and to attract new customers to the airport," said new airport manager Dan Cogan.

He added the airport has pursued grants to cover the cost. The commission unanimously approved the project. Also approved was a subdivision plat for land on Lynn Mountain and a site plan approval for a new subdivision located on Broad Street Extension.

Courtesy - The Elizabethton Star

Sketches of our New Shelter Plans

(Click to Enlarge)