In Exeter Township, the pooches have it.

Almost.

The zoning hearing board on Monday unanimously approved the Humane Society of Berks County Inc.'s plans for a dog park and a horse rescue and adoption facility on a 9-acre property in the township.

The plans next must gain approval from the township's planning commission.

But Dylan Heckart, assistant director of development for the Humane Society, breathed a sigh of relief when zoning board member Anthony Distasio handed him the signed order, which outlines several conditions for the facility.

The dog park will likely open by the end of the summer if there are no other delays, Heckart said.

"We don't anticipate any more hurdles," he said. "We're happy to move forward."

The dog park the Humane Society wants to build along with the horse rescue center would be a 1-acre fenced area for dogs to play near the Pioneer Crossing Landfill along Route 345. The area would be separated into spaces for large dogs and small dogs.

The nonprofit organization has a 10-year, $1 lease for the former residential horse farm with M.B. Investments of J.P. Mascaro & Sons, operator of the landfill.

Among the conditions the zoners set were the following:

The horse rescue and adoption facility will not be permitted without the free dog park.

Only a nonprofit can maintain and operate the dog park.

A maximum of seven horses are permitted on the property at one time.

The dog park and horse paddocks must be kept permanently fenced.

All portable toilets must be maintained as the law requires.

The board approved a variance for the use of portable toilets at the dog park on a seasonal basis.

The property is not connected to public sewer.

Landfill owner Pat Mascaro previously said that his company would put $250,000 of improvements into the property.

Some of those improvements, including replacing old fencing, planting trees, building a pavilion and general landscaping, are under way at the site, said Ryan Inch, director of engineering for the company.

"We're doing general improvements," Inch said. "We're preparing the property. We can't tag anything for a dog park because it hasn't been approved yet. But we're doing everything we're allowed to as property owners."

Contact Kristin Boyd: 610-371-5016 or kboyd@readingeagle.com.