Planning board hears public concerns about Unite People Inc. proposal for animal rehabilitation center at 173 Waverly Avenue; zoning decision required

The Patchogue Planning Board heard a lengthy presentation and wide public comment on Unite People Inc.’s proposal to operate a rehabilitation and training center for abused and neglected cats and dogs at 173 Waverly Avenue but did not grant site‑plan approval. Board members said the property’s zoning (D‑1) and the need for a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) mean the planning board cannot act until zoning determines whether the use is allowed.

Meredith Festa, speaking as the applicant, described the nonprofit’s Luna’s House program and its focus on rehabilitating animals from abuse, cruelty and hoarding cases. Festa said the organization keeps animals in modular, cage‑free rooms, conducts training and therapy programs (including work with veterans), and partners with veterinarians for care. “We rehabilitate abuse, cruelty and neglect cases,” she told the board, detailing examples of animals the nonprofit had treated and placed.

Residents who spoke at the hearing expressed concerns about odors, waste handling, noise and the suitability of a residential neighborhood for an animal‑rescue operation. Linda L’Ocontour, a resident and co‑owner of nearby property, said in a written statement and at the hearing that three sides of the former Army & Navy structure are bordered by residences and urged that the rescue be located in an industrial area instead. She described worries about rats, property values and daily refuse handling.

The applicant said the organization currently operates from a larger but older facility in East Patchogue and would limit intake, maintain an appointment‑only visitor policy, use scheduled sanitation and frequent litter/ waste pickup and keep animals under supervised indoor/outdoor programs. Festa said she does not intend to operate 24/7 staffing: “The building is manned by people, generally speaking, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.,” she said in the hearing. She also told the board she aims to keep cat counts down (she said she “never… want[s] to have more than 50 cats at one time”) and described current counts roughly as about 17 elderly cats and about 20 dogs at the existing location.

Board members repeatedly told the applicant that the zoning classification and special‑permit requirements are the primary threshold. The chairman said zoning staff must determine whether the D‑1 district permits the proposed use with a special permit; if the ZBA approves, the applicant would return for detailed site‑plan review and to address site‑specific items such as dumpster siting, noise mitigation, fire‑alarm/sprinkler systems and waste handling. The transcript records the board taking a motion to adjourn the planning review pending the ZBA determination; the motion carried.

Volunteers and allied rescue partners spoke in support, telling the board the operation provides community services — low‑cost pet support for seniors and training for service dogs — and stressing daily cleaning, veterinarian partnerships and appointment controls to limit foot traffic. Joanne Lobello, vice president of Pawsey My People and a longtime collaborator, told the board the rescue’s program addresses animals that otherwise would be deemed unadoptable and said the group performs ongoing rehabilitation and medical care.

Because the planning board limited action pending zoning, the Zoning Board of Appeals’ determination on whether the D‑1 district will allow the rehabilitation/training center (and, if so, with what conditions) will determine the next steps. If the ZBA grants a special permit, the applicant must return with detailed site‑plan drawings and technical responses to the planning board’s site‑specific questions.