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Planning commission approves ECAD training kennel at 151 Field Street with conditions
Summary
The commission approved a special exception and site plan allowing East Coast Assistance Dogs (ECAD) to operate a private training kennel at 151 Field Street, subject to planting, ADA, building‑permit and easement conditions; the approval was limited to a private training kennel and excluded commercial boarding.
The Torrington Planning & Zoning Commission voted April 15 to approve Special Exception SE26‑2 and Site Plan 1599 to allow East Coast Assistance Dogs (ECAD) to convert a 25,682‑square‑foot building at 151 Field Street into a private training kennel.
Engineer Alan Borghazi presented site plans showing reoriented parking, a new 6‑ft concrete walkway, landscaping, and a 55‑by‑65‑foot chain‑link fenced run area. ECAD founder Dale Peard described the organization’s operations: training service dogs for people with disabilities, a multi‑year training cycle and the need for indoor training and an enclosed exercise area. Peard said ECAD typically works with Labrador and golden retriever crosses and expects to have 30 to 40 dogs on site in rotation, with some dogs in foster homes.
City staff reviewed zoning compliance and technical items. The plan shows 34 parking spaces (26 required for the proposed use) and two ADA spaces; staff recommended several conditions, including native plant species for landscaping, placement of survey pins and a lot‑line revision, filing of access easements, restoration of a disturbed embankment on Forest Street, and submission of final mylar plan sheets and engineer seals before permits are issued. The building official required building permits for all construction and engineer certification of ADA parking/ramps prior to final closeout and certificate of occupancy.
A neighbor across the street asked whether ECAD would board outside dogs or offer daycare. ECAD clarified the facility is for its own training dogs and is not a commercial boarding kennel; the commission made that restriction part of its approval.
The commission’s approval included standard site conditions (anti‑tracking during construction, filing of easements, final plan submittals) and an explicit condition that the property be used as a private training kennel only and not as a commercial kennel.
What’s next: ECAD must file required easements and final plan mylars, obtain building permits and have an engineer certify ADA compliance before receiving a certificate of occupancy.
