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Council refers special‑permit application for kennel at 17 Jeanette Drive to zoning and related departments after neighbor opposition
Summary
A neighbor opposed a proposed kennel license at 17 Jeanette Drive during public input; the council received the special‑permit application and referred it to the zoning, planning, building, engineering and health departments for a public hearing.
A special‑permit application to operate a kennel at 17 Jeanette Drive was received by the Chicopee City Council on March 18 and referred to the zoning, planning, building, engineering and health departments for a public hearing after public comment from a neighboring resident.
Tracy Deck, who said she lives next door at 5 Jeanette Drive, told the council she has lived on Jeanette Drive for 18 years and opposed a kennel license at 17 Jeanette Drive. Deck said the street is a quiet residential lane where many children ride bikes and families walk; she described existing noise from dogs and an exotic bird at the property, concerns about increased traffic and reduced property values, and said the home is already used like a boarding house with several rooms rented to tenants. Deck said she plans to circulate a petition opposing the kennel.
The council then took up Item 35, a new special‑permit application under the municipal zoning ordinance (section cited on the agenda as 275‑52(b)(13)), and moved to refer the application to the listed departments for a public hearing. The motion to receive and refer the application was made by Councilor Balakir and carried on the roll call recorded that evening.
Why it matters: The referral begins the formal review process under the city’s zoning and public‑health rules, which will allow departments to assess whether a kennel is compatible with the neighborhood and whether the property meets building, health and parking requirements. Opponents say noise, odor and traffic are the primary concerns for a small residential street.
What happens next: The departments named will review the application, schedule a public hearing and report back to the council; neighbors who want to comment are advised to monitor the council’s calendar and the committee notice once the hearing date is set.
Ending: The application was received and referred for a public hearing; no permit was granted at the March 18 meeting.
