Chicopee zoning subcommittee denies kennel license for 17 Jeanette Drive after health and animal‑control concerns

The Chicopee Zoning subcommittee on May 28 denied a special permit request to allow more than three dogs at 17 Jeanette Drive, citing animal‑control and public‑health reports, resident opposition and inconsistent information about the number and status of animals at the property.

Applicant Laurie Jerusick told the committee she lives at 17 Jeanette Drive and asked to keep service animals and two pets at the residence. She said several of the dogs are service animals and that one animal recently died; she described medical needs and said the household includes long‑time friends who care for each other.

Planning and building reports in the meeting packet noted that Chicopee code requires a kennel license by special permit when more than three dogs are kept on a single premises (Chapter 275, §52, b(13) as cited in the subcommittee documents). The City Board of Health and Thomas J. O’Connor (TJO) animal‑control staff told the subcommittee they have investigated the address several times. Animal‑control records read at the meeting document citations for harboring a stray without required notice, operating an illegal kennel and interfering with animal‑control officers, and inspectors reported seeing more dogs on the premises than were licensed. TJO officers said the number of animals reported at the home changed during the investigation and that state kennel licensing rules require an inspection before a kennel license can issue.

Several neighbors and other residents spoke at public input. Some said the yard was well maintained and the applicant cared for animals; others, including an adjacent neighbor, submitted a petition and expressed concerns about prior violations, barking and the prospect of a commercial kennel in a residential area.

Health director Lisa Sanders told the committee the Board of Health denied a rescue permit at a recent meeting and planned to bring state guidance to a future session; she also said she was concerned the residence could again exceed any license limit. TJO officers summarized local ordinances and cited Massachusetts General Laws cited by their reports; they advised that an inspection must precede licensing and reported both a $100 citation and later larger fines and enforcement actions tied to earlier incidents.

After discussion, the subcommittee voted to deny the special permit, citing neighborhood concerns, nonconformance with zoning and other Chicopee code provisions, potential for nuisance (noise, smell, possible sanitation concerns) and lack of demonstrated compliance with licensing and inspection requirements. The motion to deny passed; the decision will be forwarded to the full council on June 3.

Ending: The subcommittee’s denial was based on testimony from multiple city departments and animal‑control evidence; staff said inspections and Board of Health review will continue as separate processes.