A nonprofit cat adoption lounge with coffee service is seeking to open in the Five Mile Shopping Center on Beechmont Avenue, but first needs a zoning variance from the Anderson Township Board of Zoning Appeals.

Cincy Cat Connection, founded by Anderson Township resident Linda Sieber Doyle, wants to move into a 1,550-square-foot former Supercuts unit at 7747 Five Mile Road.

The concept: a cage-free space where visitors can interact with adoptable cats from local rescues while sipping coffee in a separate, cat-free counter area.

The catch is a zoning rule. Anderson Township's zoning resolution requires animal boarding facilities to sit at least 100 feet from a residential district. The Five Mile Road property is 71.9 feet from homes on Collinsdale Avenue, falling 28.1 feet short of the buffer.

Township Planner Eli Davies issued a notice of refusal on July 2, citing Article 3.14, B, 2 of the zoning resolution. Doyle filed her variance appeal on July 15, within the 20-day window.

In her application, Doyle argues the lounge would function more like a boutique retail shop or coffee house than a traditional boarding facility. The variance filing states no breeding, veterinary services or overnight public events would take place on site. Daily operations would include adoption services, educational programming, volunteer training and retail sales of pet merchandise and branded apparel.

Floor plans submitted with the application show a check-in area, a cat lounge, a coffee counter with stools, a bathroom, laundry, storage and an office.

In her Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce profile, Doyle described the concept's origin: she saw "a need for an intermediary solution to move kittens/cats out of foster homes where they had no exposure to the community, into a setting that would allow exposure to potential adopters."

At least one neighbor backs the plan. Ann Myres, who lives at 1328 Collinsdale Avenue directly behind the proposed site, submitted a written statement to the BZA supporting the variance and calling Cincy Cat Connection "a great addition to our community."

Cincy Cat Connection is a registered nonprofit and a member of the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce. Its website lists a target opening of late summer or early fall 2026, though that timeline depends on the BZA's decision.

The BZA will hear Case 15-2026 at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 6, at Anderson Center, 7850 Five Mile Road. The agenda shows the board will consider, discuss, and vote on the variance that evening.