Pawtucket council continues Harmony Dog Training kennel renewal after neighbors complain about odor, noise

The Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners continued consideration of a kennel renewal for Harmony Dog Training LLC, 65 Patterson Avenue, after neighbors described ongoing odor and noise problems and councilors asked the zoning director to explain how the site received a certificate of zoning compliance.

The council continued the renewal to the July 23 noon meeting and requested the zoning director, identified in the meeting as “Mr. Johnson,” attend to explain the property’s zoning and the certificate of zoning compliance that allowed the kennel to operate. The applicant, Louis Rosado, told the board he has state permits and said the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management recently approved his state license.

Why it matters: neighbors say the kennel directly abuts a residence and have complained for about a year; councilors said the issue implicates how kennel operations are sited relative to residential areas and whether the city’s zoning review was sufficient.

Resident Kira Witsney told the board she lives adjacent to the kennel and described repeated problems with smell and proximity. “It’s literally not even a foot outside of my residence where the dogs are toileted,” she said, adding that she has closed windows during recent heat waves because the odor was “unbearable.” Witsney said she has filed letters and reported problems to animal control over the past year but had not seen a substantive change.

Applicant Louis Rosado, who gave an address in Providence, said he has invested in measures to reduce odor and noise, including daily cleaning and installation of turf and sand intended to trap urine. “On occasion, you might get a little whiff of urine when a dog just finished urinating on a warm evening. I apologize,” Rosado said, adding that animal-control officers from other jurisdictions have inspected the facility and found it compliant.

Councilors questioned why the kennel site borders residences when, according to the city’s zoning rules discussed at the meeting, kennel uses are normally permitted in Industrial Open zones. Councilor Gregor said zoning staff should explain how the certificate of zoning compliance was issued and whether any special permit or variance was required. Gregor told the applicant that the council would continue the matter so zoning staff could appear and answer questions.

The board and the applicant clarified that the state license permits continued operation while the municipal renewal is pending; the council’s continuance will not immediately revoke Rosado’s ability to operate under his state approval. The clerk confirmed the Rhode Island DEM license had been submitted to the record and described it as recently approved.

Next steps: the kennel renewal was continued to the July 23 noon meeting; the council requested the zoning director attend and asked staff to post and share communications and inspection records (animal-control communications were on the meeting agenda and referenced as available on the clerk’s website). The council indicated at the hearing it may vote to approve, deny, or continue again after the zoning director’s response.

The action leaves neighbors seeking more immediate relief; councilors urged direct discussions between the applicant, neighbors and zoning staff before the next hearing.