AGWC Rockin' Rescue, an animal rescue center and adoption facility located in Woodland Hills, has secured its foreseeable future thanks to a panel from the city planning commission, according to an article on DailyNews.com.
Recently, a zoning administrator refused to grant a variance to the center, but the panel overturned that ruling, allowing Rockin' Rescue to keep operating.
It was alleged that AGWC has been operating without a permit for several years, but finally got a variance in January that allows it to continue operating in an area that is zoned commercial. Maya Zaitzevsky, who voted against the request for a variance in November, and whose ruling was overturned, argued that commercial enterprises the likes of restaurants and stores, not animal care facilities.
Bob Blumenfeld, a city councilman, argued that it was “crazy” not to have animal facilities in commercial areas, since that is where a lot of foot traffic is found, and where people might stop in to see the animals. Ady Gil, who founded and directs the center, which is home to about 80 cats and dogs, says the important thing is that the animals can remain at the center, instead of being forced back into the shelter system. He says the “bottom line is they're going to live.”
Facilities like this can benefit if operators work with a newsletter printing company, which can keep residents up to date on events and animals available for adoption.
