Canine Eye Care Facility Pitched In West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A veterinarian from New Fairfield is looking to open a veterinary ophthalmology clinic at a West Hartford site, with the local zoning board expected to discuss the matter at a public hearing Monday.

The West Hartford Plan and Zoning Commission will host the hearing at 7:15 p.m. Monday, May 1, at West Hartford Town Hall's Room 314, 50 W. Main St.

PZC members will listen to testimony regarding vet Kyle Tofflemire's plan to open a veterinary ophthalmology clinic at 312 N. Main St.

Tofflemire has applied to the PZC, seeking a special permit to operate at that site, which is zoned residential/office space.

Hi plan doesn't propose any changes to the interior or exterior of the site, according to the town.

On April 3, the PZC scheduled the hearing.

According to a narrative submitted to the town by Tofflemire, the clinic — which specializes in eye care for dogs — will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday.

It will have one veterinary ophthalmologist and two full-time staff members, who are expected to care for about one to two dogs an hour (15 to 18 clients a day), wrote Tofflemire.

He said the site will not have any boarding or overnight capacities.

The size of the lot is about 0.28 acres and the building there is about 3,400 square feet and the parking lot has room for 11 spaces, according to Tofflemire.

"All animals will be either leashed or contained within a mobile pet carrier while in possession of their owners for the short distance between their parking space and the building entrance," wrote Tofflemire.

"No barking is anticipated. While on-site, all animals will be handled directly by pet owners or veterinary staff members."

The property is owned by 312 North Main Street LLC, according to the application.

For the written narrative describing the application, click on this link.

To see the parcel that is subject to the application, click on this link.