Animal Protectors finds new facility
After searching the Alle-Kiski Valley for a new home, Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will build a new shelter a half-mile from its New Kensington facility.
New Kensington's zoning hearing board Wednesday unanimously granted the no-kill shelter permission to use a building along Industrial Boulevard and Church Street in Parnassus.
Since an animal care facility is a permitted use by special exception in the C-2 commercial zone, the board approved the move contingent upon the shelter planting a buffer of trees and shrubs to screen the facility from homes along Church Street. The buffer was suggested by the city's planning commission, which recommended approval of the project.
Shelter board members agreed to comply with the request of several people with neighboring homes along Church and Main streets, who asked that the vegetation be planted outside the 6-foot, chain-link fence that will encircle the shelter's property.
Anthony, Gary and Mike Pollino, three brothers who own homes and rental property in the area, voiced objections to Animal Protectors' plans.
“I think Animal Protectors is a great organization,” Gary Pollino said. “But I have some concerns. Right now in that area, we're trying to make it a little nicer.”
The Pollinos noted the less-than-pristine appearance of the shelter's existing location along Linden Avenue and Route 366. They cited dead grass, overflowing garbage containers and general lack of upkeep.
“It's a disaster over there,” Anthony Pollino said.
Mike Pollino noted his neighborhood dealt for years with odors emanating from the Municipal Sanitary Authority of New Kensington's treatment plant across Industrial Boulevard. He said the problem has been largely eliminated but is concerned neighbors will experience odors from the shelter's animal waste.
John Paz, an attorney representing the shelter, said they've been planning to move for several years. He said the city-owned facility is in a flood plain, which is why they haven't wanted to spend money to improve the building they've used since the 1980s.
The Pollinos, Main Street resident Georgean Ware and Bridge Street resident Mike Collett voiced safety concerns about dogs escaping and attacking children.
Jeanne Lessig, who leads the shelter's building committee, said dogs would be walked on leashes within the perimeter fence. Dogs individually would be allowed off leash in two smaller, fenced “play yards” within the outer fence while their kennels are cleaned.
Animal Protectors plans to add an L-shaped addition to the new location that would add dog kennels with attached, outdoor exercise runs.
Paz said no construction or major changes will occur at the property until a child care center's lease with existing owner Burrell Group Inc. expires in August 2017.
The shelter will continue an existing arrangement with neighboring Logans Ferry Presbyterian Church to share the parking lot.
Thomas Ferguson of Plum, a church caretaker, said he welcomed the change in ownership. He believes the shelter, which has limited daily hours when it is open to the public and a small staff, will lessen traffic and parking problems the church has experienced with the day care.
“I think it's going to benefit us greatly,” he said.
Phyllis Framel, the shelter board's president, did not have a time frame for when the move would be completed. She said the next phase will involve getting concrete cost estimates for the renovations and raising money for the project.
Lessig and Framel said the approval from New Kensington was a welcome change from the rejection Animal Protectors received last year when it tried to move to Lower Burrell. The neighboring city's zoning hearing board rejected their proposal to relocate to Puckety Church Road, a decision that was upheld by Westmoreland County Court.
Allegheny Township residents also had objected to the shelter's tentative proposal to move there.
“Third time's a charm,” Lessig said. “It's nice to know New Kensington wants us to stay.”
Liz Hayes is a Tribune-Review staff writer. She can be reached at lhayes@tribweb.com or 724-226-4680.
