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Danbury commission accepts application for Hatter's Park dog park, schedules site visits
Summary
The Danbury Environmental Impact Commission voted to accept the City of Danbury’s application to develop a dog park at Hatter's Park, noting a 100-foot upland setback, a 25-foot buffer from the pond’s earthen dam and that no wetlands are expected to be permanently impacted; site walks were scheduled for further review.
The Danbury Environmental Impact Commission on March 25 voted to accept an application from the City of Danbury to develop a dog park at Hatter's Park and scheduled site visits and follow-up review.
Richard Ganzer, a city staff engineer, told the commission the proposal is “low impact,” that the plans include a 100-foot setback from previously delineated wetlands and a 25-foot buffer from the existing earthen dam of the pond, and that “no wetlands will be impacted by any construction” as presented. He said tree removals are possible but will be determined in spring based on tree health and that he would report back on the removal process.
The commission’s review focused on environmental safeguards and operations. Commissioner Gary Dufel asked how the team would determine which trees would be removed; Ganzer said his team would assess tree health in the spring and provide a removal plan. Sean Radford, Director of Recreation, said placing a dog park in a more central town location should reduce travel to distant parks and help separate dogs from children’s play areas. Radford told the commission that Mirey Brook park is the system’s busiest, estimating more than 100 dogs visit that facility on a busy day, and argued the Hatter’s Park site would alleviate pressure on other fields.
Commissioners raised water-quality questions. One commissioner asked whether pet waste could contaminate the pond or downstream stream (raising concerns about coliforms and nitrogen); Radford and Ganzer said the proposed setback and site design, plus potential stormwater features such as rain gardens, should mitigate runoff risks. Ganzer also noted the small dog park is sited lower than the pond and approximately 750 feet from the lake, with parking and beach areas between the park and lakeshore.
A commissioner made a motion to accept Application #126411 for 11 East Taystoun Road; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The commission directed staff and commissioners to conduct site walks and to provide further information before final determinations.
Next steps: applicants will coordinate with staff to schedule site visits; the commission will review any follow-up materials and field observations before any final permit or construction authorization.
