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New Canaan commission approves retail pet-supply use at 272 Elm; grooming deferred pending zoning change
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Commission approved a site plan Dec. 17 to convert 272 Elm Street from a bank into a retail pet-supply store but limited the approval to retail only and deferred dog-grooming services until the town clarifies zoning language or the applicant returns with a separate approval.
The New Canaan Planning & Zoning Commission on Dec. 17 voted to approve a site plan to convert 272 Elm Street — a former bank building — into a retail pet-supply store, but the commission excluded on-site dog-grooming from the approval pending changes to local zoning definitions.
The applicant, identified at the hearing as “Oso, president of BMI,” told the commission the project would enclose the rear drive-through to create an interior grooming area and otherwise leave the façade and parking unchanged. Oso said grooming would be a full-service, drop-off operation rather than self-service.
Town planning staff told commissioners the zoning regulations are silent on grooming services and cautioned that classifying grooming as a permitted “service establishment” could allow such uses wherever service establishments are allowed in the Business A zone. “The zoning regulations do not address grooming services, whatsoever,” the staff member said during the meeting, urging the commission to recognize that any classification now could affect where grooming is permitted townwide.
Commissioners discussed state licensing and Department of Agriculture guidelines — noting a state research report (cited at the hearing) that facilities keeping dogs for grooming longer than four hours must provide an exercise area — and whether the downtown Business A zone is appropriate for an operation that might require outdoor recreation space. Planner comments and commissioners’ questions focused on whether grooming is an ancillary service to retail or a distinct use requiring a text amendment.
After debate, Commissioner Chris Herring moved to approve the application limited to retail pet supplies and to exclude grooming until the town updates its zoning text or the applicant returns with a separate approved permit. The motion carried on roll-call vote.
The commission also recommended that if state or other regulations later require an outdoor exercise area for groomed animals, the applicant would return to the commission with a plan for that space. The applicant said he would apply for signage and any required permits later if the retail portion proceeds.
Next steps: the applicant may pursue a zoning text amendment or a separate permit for grooming; the commission’s decision allows the retail conversion to move forward under the site-plan approval granted Dec. 17.
