P&Z Considers Veterinary Hospital Proposal

By Andrew Gorosko

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members are considering a proposal to construct a veterinary hospital on a 3.2-acre site at 164 Mt Pleasant Road (Route 6), in the location where the P&Z last July had approved construction of a larger building, which was never constructed, that would have held retail, office, and restaurant uses.

The property is on the north side of Mt Pleasant Road, directly east of the driveway that leads to The Homesteads at Newtown assisted-living complex. The land is in a B-2 (Business) zone. The site holds a vacant dilapidated single-family house, detached garage, and shed, all of which would be demolished to make way for new construction. The sloped site is wooded and has stone walls.

Engineer John McCoy, of JFM Engineering, Inc, of Ridgefield, representing applicant Claris Construction, Inc, told P&Z members at a January 21 public hearing that the applicant wants to modify the P&Z’s previous construction approval for the site.

A proposed 16,502-square-foot single-story building, which would house a veterinary hospital and associated services, would be built instead of the previously approved, but never constructed, two-story 28,380-square-foot mixed-use commercial building.

Mr McCoy described various differences between the plans that the P&Z approved last July and the plans currently proposed by the applicant.

The current design would contain a surface-level stormwater detention pond, rather than the underground stormwater treatment system that was part of the earlier project’s design, he said.

Overall, there would be less physical disturbance at the site compared to the previous project, he said.

Mr McCoy said that the current plans are under review by the Inland Wetlands Commission (IWC). In February 2009, the IWC approved plans for the initially proposed project.

Mr McCoy described the landscaping design for the site. The veterinary hospital would have no outdoor kennels, he said, adding though that an outdoor walkway would be provided for animals treated at the hospital.

P&Z Chairman Lilla Dean observed that the development proposal would involve the removal of many trees on the site, some of which are of “historic sizes.” Ms Dean said the P&Z has had some adverse experiences with developers in that area who have removed extensive trees from their sites.

Ms Dean suggested that the applicant reposition the site’s proposed driveway to preserve some large trees there.

P&Z member Robert Mulholland said that the location of the front parking lot would require the removal of many trees.

Some of the trees on the site have very broad trunks, Ms Dean noted.

Architect Philip Clark of Claris Construction said that the development application reflects the “optimal design” for the project.

Mr McCoy said that the applicant could review how certain trees could be preserved on the site.

Third Attempt

Ms Dean noted that the 164 Mt Pleasant Road site marks the third local location that has been sought for a veterinary hospital by the people who would run the facility.

Previous attempts to create such a facility in Sandy Hook Center and inside Woodbury Hall at Fairfield Hills failed to materialize.

In October 2008, the P&Z revised its zoning regulations to allow a multispecialty veterinary hospital as permitted land use at Fairfield Hills. But in November 2009, the Glen Mountain Holding Company, LLC, announced that it had failed to achieve financing for that project and had dropped plans for it.

In June 2007, the P&Z had approved zoning rule changes that would have allowed a veterinary hospital as a permitted land use in the Sandy Hook Design District (SHDD) in Sandy Hook Center. But plans for that facility there fell through.

Scott Schifilliti and Debra Weisman are seeking approval for the veterinary hospital at 164 Mt Pleasant Road.

Ms Dean said that as a condition of approving the project, the P&Z might require that construction financing be a certainty before any site development work occurs.

Mr Clark said the project would not commence until its financing is certain. Also, the preservation of trees on the site will be reviewed, he said.

Mr Schifilliti told P&Z members that the proposed animal hospital would be open around-the-clock, seven days a week. The facility would provide emergency pet care, surgery, internal medicine, and cancer treatment, plus laboratory services. The building would always be staffed, he said.

The area has many conventional veterinarians, but lacks sufficient veterinary surgical facilities, Mr Schifilliti said. He said that Dr Weisman, who is his wife, is a veterinary surgeon.

“This is the third attempt [for a veterinary hospital] for a number of reasons, and we think this one is going to be the charm,” he said.

In response to a query from Ms Dean, Mr Schifilliti assured her that there is sufficient demand in this area for the type of veterinary hospital being proposed.

P&Z members are expected to resume the public hearing on the application on February 4.