Planning commission denies proposal to convert former child daycare to dog daycare at 145 Westtown Center Drive

The Coppell Planning & Zoning Commission on March 19 denied a request to convert part of 145 Westtown Center Drive — a former child daycare site — into a dog daycare and boarding facility that staff said would include indoor play areas, divided outdoor yards and up to 71 overnight suites.

Staff senior planner Mary Fronzo told commissioners the application sought to revise the detailed plan for Building B to allow dog daycare and overnight boarding; staff mailed notices and received nine opposition responses within 200 feet and 10 within 800 feet raising concerns about noise, traffic, odor and decreasing property values. "We did receive nine responses in opposition within 200 feet," Fronzo said during the presentation.

The applicant, Nazani Javon, described operational safeguards including supervised, size-based groupings and scheduled outdoor play. "Cleanliness is my first priority," Javon said, explaining waste would be collected immediately, sealed in double bags and removed under contract three times weekly. She added outdoor play would be limited to supervised 20-minute sessions by small groups and that dogs would be leashed while being transferred to and from vehicles.

Residents and nearby school staff urged denial. Pete Supraak, whose backyard adjoins the site, said the neighborhood "loves dogs" but argued the location was inappropriate: "A facility housing multiple dogs has the potential for frequent and excessive barking," he said, adding worries about sanitation and student safety on a heavily walked route to the high school. Vicki Rice, director of the adjacent Monastery Academy, told commissioners that toddlers play on the school playground nearest the proposal and that persistent barking could disrupt learning and rest times.

Commissioners debated the proposal's pros and cons, including whether operational mitigation (fencing, inspections, trash contracts) could address residents' concerns. The commission held two motions; after a tie on an initial approval motion the city attorney advised that the application had not obtained the majority required for approval and therefore the request was denied.

Next steps: the applicant was informed of appeal rights to Coppell City Council. The commission record and the public-comments packet (including petitions and letters) will be part of any appeal review.