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June 26, 2019

Doggy daycare plan clears hurdle

PHOTO | New Haven Biz A portion of this building at 1175 State St. in New Haven is being eyed for a new animal boarding facility.
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

Local animal lovers will soon have a new place to put their furry friends during the workday or while they are on vacation, as plans are underway for a new pet boarding facility in New Haven.

Paw Haven LLC secured one key zoning approval this month to locate its new business at 1175 State St., and it will be seeking approval for its site plan later this summer.

The city’s Board of Zoning Appeals approved a special exception to permit the use of animal care. The board also approved a variance to allow the use within 222 feet of a residential zone, because a 500-foot buffer is required.

The City Plan Commission still needs to sign off on the proposal before it can proceed. As of this week, no date had been scheduled for the commission to review it.

Attorney James Segaloff, who represents Paw Haven, asserted there is a need for this type of business.

“New Haven is a city of pet owners, with a need for establishments that can care for their pets when the owners have other commitments,” Segaloff wrote in the ZBA application.

Paw Haven LLC registered with the state in May and includes three principals, John McFadyen, Kevin Rocco and Jacqueline Carleton, all of Nash Street in New Haven, according to the Secretary of State’s office.

The building is a former trolley barn that was vacant for years, and it is located in an industrial area. Most recently, a portion has been used for a U-Haul Moving & Storage business. It is across the street from District New Haven, which offers flexible workspace for businesses.

Paw Haven wants to renovate an unused portion of the building so it can be used for pet boarding, both during the day and for overnight stays, when owners are working or on vacation. There would be indoor and outdoor play areas, including separate areas for older dogs, small dogs, and large dogs. The plans also include a small grooming facility on site.

The facility would be open to the public from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to documents on file at City Hall.

The applicant intends to include noise suppression design in its renovations to the building. However, Paw Haven noted how the building is very close to I-91 and railroad tracks.

“Those create far more noise than dogs ever will,” the application states.

David Salinas, co-founder and CEO of District New Haven, said many people bring their dogs to work there, as many as ten on any given day. Salinas was supportive of the boarding facility idea.

“I think it’s a smart amenity and complement to District and the rest of the neighborhood,” Salinas said.

Charles Decker, an alder for Ward 9, expressed his support for the project to the ZBA in a letter.

“The proposed dog day care fills a need for the area and for the city of New Haven,” Decker wrote. “It is a good fit for the neighborhood, which is transitioning from industrial to mixed use, particularly with District having opened across the street.”

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com
 

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