The chairman of Zoning Board of Appeals is defending a controversial decision to approve a pet hotel for South Boston.

Despite howls of protest from the mayors office and the neighborhoods elected officials, the seven-member ZBA this week voted unanimously in favor of Fenway Bark, which bills itself as overnight kennel offering upscale boarding for the discriminating dog.

Were not a rubber stamp, ZBA chairman Robert Shortsleeve Shortsleeve said today. The applicant addressed concerns about noise, waste, traffic, pick-up and drop-off. And it sounds like theres a public need for the service with 1,100 dog owners in South Boston and only 20 spaces to kennel them.

We have granted three or four similar uses with similar objections in the North End, West Roxbury and the South End, he added.

Tuesdays vote clear the way for Jane Fulton to build the kennel that will feature Little League condominiums for smaller dogs, luxury boxes overlooking the pool and play yard with TVs, webcams, choice of bedding, massage therapy and holistic foods.

We are delighted, Fulton said. It restores my faith in the system.

Boston City Councilor William Linehan said he was disappointed in the ZBAs vote.

All the elected officials were on the same page in opposition, he said. But every once in a while the ZBA makes a decision based on whatever the laws and rules are.

Source: bostonherald.com

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