The City Council on June 3 denied a special‑permit request under Chicopee zoning code §275‑52(b)(13) for a kennel license at 17 Jeanette Drive after the zoning committee issued an unfavorable report.

Zoning Committee Chair Councilor Balakir summarized the committee’s findings: neighborhood opposition, inconsistency with zoning standards and potential nuisance concerns tied to noise, odors and property impacts. The committee pointed to chapter 275, §9M, and item 12 of the ordinance — that the proposal was not in harmony with the zoning code’s purpose and intent — as part of its rationale.

Councilor Shumski, citing his review with animal-control officers, said the committee had examined photos and a cease‑and‑desist order that raised welfare and capacity concerns. He told the council the pictures showed kennels in poor condition and dogs appearing malnourished; animal‑control records had prompted enforcement actions. Shumski said he had spent several hours with animal-control staff reviewing the facts and could not, in good conscience, support the application.

Several councilors noted statutory protections for service animals and disability accommodations but said state guidance also warns that commercially issued “certificates” and online registries are not legally binding evidence of a need for an accommodation. Neighbors had submitted petitions, written comments and testified in public input; councilors said consistent neighborhood opposition weighed heavily in the decision.

On roll call the council voted to deny the special permit; the zoning committee report and the denial were received and approved. The applicant’s public testimony and several letters to the council were reviewed during committee meetings; legal counsel concluded the letters did not provide a basis to overturn zoning criteria.

Councilors emphasized the decision concerned land-use and neighborhood impacts, not the abstract question of access to service animals for people with disabilities.