Planning commission approves text amendment to allow pet grooming in Business A zone

The New Canaan Planning and Zoning Commission voted Feb. 25 to amend Section 4.4 of the town zoning regulations to permit pet grooming facilities in the Business A zone by special permit on lots of at least 20,000 square feet.

The amendment requires grooming operations to be accessory to the primary business on the premises, to be located in a separate designated indoor room, and it prohibits outdoor pet exercise areas. The effective date approved by the commission is March 3, 2025.

Proponents said the change fills a regulatory gap. "This amendment provides clear guidelines and ensures businesses operate in compliance with town zoning regulations," said Frank Vuelo, owner of VIM Incorporated, who presented the application with Lou DiCinto of DBI Development. Vuelo told the commission the proposal would prevent future conflicts by spelling out lot-size, use and no-boarding limits.

Commissioners discussed the draft language at length before voting. Commissioner Chris recommended replacing a blanket prohibition on overnight boarding with a more specific bar on outdoor pet exercise areas so the rule would align with state agriculture requirements limiting how long animals may be kept without indoor exercise space. "Instead of saying the overnight boarding of animals is strictly prohibited, I would replace it with: grooming facilities shall not have an outdoor pet exercise area," Commissioner Chris said; the applicants agreed to that wording.

The commission also noted that owners will still need to seek a special permit and site-plan approval for any property-specific changes and that signage, parking and other site details remain subject to separate permitting.

Votes at the Feb. 25 meeting were recorded as follows: Dan Radman — yes; Krista Nielsen — yes; John Crews — yes; John Engle — recused; Paul Knagg — yes; Alan Swedlow — yes; Eric Knowles — yes; Christina Larson (alternate) — yes; Megan Mensching (alternate) — yes; Bill Pratt — yes. The motion passed with nine affirmative votes and one recusal.

The amendment text adopted reads, in part: "Pet grooming facilities shall be permitted on lots with a minimum area of 20,000 square feet. Such facilities must operate as an accessory use to the primary business on the premises and shall be located in a separate designated room within the building. Grooming facilities shall not have outdoor pet exercise areas." The commission set March 3, 2025, as the effective date for the regulation change.

Next steps: applicants seeking to open a grooming business in the Business A zone must apply for a special permit and satisfy the commission's site-plan and special-permit criteria.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the public-hearing portion of the Feb. 25, 2025 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.