Avon Dog Trainer Gets Trial PZC OK To Operate In Residential Area

AVON, CT — A resident on Old Farms Road earlier this month received conditional and trial approval of a kennel/dog training operation in a residential zone by town zoning board members.

The Avon Planning and Zoning Commission Sept. 13 unanimously approved special exemptions and site plans for Melissa Traub, a dog trainer living at 90 Old Farms Road who sought the necessary approval to legally operate her business there.

While granted, her applications didn't come without opposition, as a public hearing prior to the PZC vote did turn up concerns among some neighborhood residents.

Traub told the PZC she owns a dog-training business and her home operation wouldn't take care of more than three dogs at a time, dogs who would be joined by her three canine pets on the site.

She said her operation would be a board-and-train program, where clients' dogs would stay at her home for a couple weeks at a time.

According to Traub, no dogs are left outside alone and if they're outside, she is with them.

She said training sessions are 30 minutes each and her garage is properly insulated and controlled to host dogs indoors when the weather is bad.

According to Traub, dogs would stay in crates on the site and they must be crate-trained, that is, used to sleeping and spending time in crates and not barking.

"It's a very structured environment," she told the PZC, according to meeting minutes.

But neighbor Dave Bauer of Old Farms Road spoke up against the proposal at the Sept. 13 PZC meeting.

He said he was concerned about having such a business in the residentially zoned neighborhood.

Because of the neighborhood's zoning, Traub needed a special exemption to legally operate in the residential district.

Bauer also pointed out Traub had already started operating her business prior to the PZC vote, something Traub attributed to not knowing such approvals were required.

Once she learned of the required town approvals, Traub said she stopped operating her small dog-training operation at home.

John Kodis, another Old Farms Road neighbor, said he was concerned about potential barking, saying the houses in that neighborhood are close together.

According to Kodis, that site is not "the best choice for this business."

Traub told the PZC she also received four letters of support from area residents approving the home use of her business.

Avon's PZC approval is contingent on several conditions, among them:

• Approval is only granted for a one-year trial basis until Sept. 23, 2023, after which, Traub must re-apply to the town for permanent approval.

• A maximum of only three dogs be allowed for training on site at any given time.

• Dogs must be crated and not disturb neighbors. No kenneling, boarding or runs are permitted.

• Hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and, possibly, weekends.

For the minutes of the Sept. 13 Avon Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.