New Glastonbury Animal Shelter To Include 'Rattlesnake Enclosure'

GLASTONBURY, CT — Plans for a new animal shelter in Glastonbury are currently under local regulatory review and the design is about more than cats and dogs.

The Conservation Commission and Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency reviewed the plans this week.

The proposed animal shelter would be located at 340 Hubbard St., behind Glastonbury High School.

According to the plans, the existing building will be removed and replaced with a new building. One notable design feature of the building will be a timber rattlesnake enclosure, officials said. The plans also call for 16 animal bays and a feline isolation area.

The town is exploring the ability to incorporate heat pumps, radiant heating and solar energy into the design.

Officials said one concern revolves around "wetland soils" located to the south of the proposed building — one area located within 20 feet of the building. A sediment and erosion control plan will be created once the site grading plan is finalized, officials said.

The property is not encumbered by a conservation easement, according to reviews. Private conservation easements to the south provide a buffer between the animal shelter building and the watercourse neighboring the parcel, officials said.

Here are the plans:

(Glastonbury Planning Department)