The Dedham Zoning Board of Appeals meeting Wednesday night started off with an approval for the Shultz Guest House.

The property was being used as a dog kennel for the last three years, but the owners were unaware that they needed a zoning permit and they said working without a permit was unintentional and that they have never had any noise complaints.

Board member Gregory Jacobson was surprised the business was going on for that long.

“How many dogs would you have there? Is this a business?" he asked.

“I assure you we are a non-profit 501(c)(3),and we hold 10 dogs at most” owner George Shultz said.

Shultz then showed pictures of the dogs that were found homes in the past to the board.

“You're doing a very good thing here,” Chairman E. Patrick Maguire said.

WASHINGTON STREET PROPERTY EXTENSION APPROVED

There was one issue that drew debate was contractor David Raftery seeking the approval to extend a piece of property 10-feet past the zone line-no more, no less at 321-325 Washington St. The board gave its approval.

Raftery wants to create rental property that will accommodate at least 20 apartments. Right now, they are still in the early planning stages so there wasn't much information available.

The property is expect to look like the building next to the Women's Exchange, depending on the size that is approved. The first floor of the property is expected to be commercial, but the actual use will depend on the design.

Although Raftery and his team were able to bring letters of approval from residents who will be affected, there were a few people who were against the construction of the building.

Resident Uranie Lacroix feels that there shouldn’t be any more commercial property in the neighborhood.

“We already have the Dunkin Donuts that runs 24 hours,” she said.  “If we have more commercial property then you don’t know what kind of people will come around.”

Maguire wanted to make sure that the residents would still have a chance to voice their opinions.

“Will there be a neighborhood meeting?” he asked.

Raftery assured Lacroix and the board that there will be a neighborhood meeting once the design is in place.

Chairman James McGrail reminded everyone that Raftery was there for only one reason.

“It’s important to remember that this situation only has to do with 10 feet- that’s it,” he said.