MARIETTA, Ga. — Despite concerns from some neighborhood groups, a shelter for rescued rabbits will be able to operate out of a Marietta home -- at least for now.
Channel 2 Action News reporter Mike Petchenik was in Marietta on Tuesday when county commissioners approved the shelter's zoning change.
Supporters said there are not enough places to take abandoned or abused rabbits in north Georgia and that's why the North Georgia House Rabbit Society opened a shelter in Cobb County. But the shelter, and its rabbits, were in danger of going away.
Founder Edie Sayeg said a realtor told her the shelter complied with zoning laws. But in August, she learned the person gave her bad information.
"We totally renovated the house and spent thousands of dollars. We were in shock," said Sayeg.
On Tuesday, Sayeg and nearly a dozen supporters asked county commissioners for forgiveness, rather than permission. And they got their wish -- a temporary zoning change.
But East Cobb Civic Association President Jill Flamm does take issue with putting a business in the middle of a residential neighborhood.
"We have nothing against rabbits," she said. "This would be a more intense use of the zoning. You have to be very careful to protect the residences behind it."
The temporary zoning change is good for 12 months. In the meantime, the shelter will have to apply for a permanent zoning change and the commission has imposed several stipulations. Among them, no signs are allowed out front and adoptions should be by appointment only.
The number of rabbits that can be on the property at once has also been limited. There are 25 rabbit pens residing there currently, but they will only be allowed 20 rabbit pens on site with the temporary zoning. The shelter said at least five rabbits are already set for adoption, so they will be able to handle the new restriction without getting rid of any animals.