Proposed Dog Hotel & Hospital Wants To Be 'Exemplary' Neighbor: Lawyer

FAIRFIELD, CT — The attorney representing the proposed Spot On Veterinary Hospital & Hotel site in Southport argues that the facility has done "everything possible" to address neighbors concerns, as the Fairfield Town Plan and Zoning Commission starts deliberations on the application.

In a 115-page rebuttal document filed with the commission on Monday, attorney John Knuff attempts to counter the arguments of opponents of the dog hotel, which is slated to be located in a former Hyundai automobile dealership at 2269 Post Road.

"Dr. [Philip] Putter has done everything possible to respond to the concerns and fears of the neighbors, as well as the comments from the Commission," Knuff wrote. "Dr. Putter has done so as a sign of good faith and as [a] tangible demonstration of his desire to be an exemplary neighbor."

On Tuesday, the commission was scheduled to hear Knuff's rebuttal, but he filed the document instead. The commission was not scheduled to make a decision Tuesday, instead it has more than two months to vote on the application.

Among the concerns Knuff addressed included the size of suites for the more than 70 dogs the facility would hold, gaps in the fencing along the perimeter of the property, and "the intermingling of sick and well dogs" inside the site.

Though, Knuff added, that some of the concerns of neighbors were "frankly undeserving of a response."

"Instead, the Commission is respectfully reminded that Dr. Putter is in the health business: in the same way that he would do nothing that would imperil the health of his patients, he would do nothing that would imperil the health of his colleagues and staff, some of whom are his family members. Those same precautions also apply to the neighbors of the property."

Neighbors of the proposed facility, which has a location in Stamford, have voiced concerns over potential noise and smell from the Post Road site. The opponents also do not want to see the commission amend a zoning regulation that would allow such a facility next to a residential neighborhood.

Among the changes made to the Spot On plan include adding more plantings to help with deadening sound; eliminating an outdoor play area; and eliminating several parking spaces to increase the buffer area near the residential neighborhood.

"The applicant and its principle, Dr. Putter, have in good faith and respectfully made substantive

changes in order to respond to Commission and neighbor concerns," Knuff wrote. "Indeed, the elimination of the outdoor play areas, and the related recommended change to the regulation amendment, respond to virtually every initial comment made in opposition."