Animal shelter debate persists

By Jeanne Starmack

New Castle studies proposal for facility

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — An animal welfare group wants to build a shelter on 20 wooded acres in the city.

Not in our backyards, say neighbors who live near the property, bordered by Elder, Vine, Ash and Scott streets.

Those neighbors spoke against the proposed 6,000-square-foot no-kill shelter at a city planning board meeting March 5, expressing some fears that Susan Papa, president of Promises for Pets, called “irrational.”

“It’s not a wild kingdom on Scott Street,” she said after neighbors described scenarios in which kindergarten children at nearby Lockley Elementary School would be grabbed by vicious pit bulls dropped off on the property, left cowering in fear as dogs ran loose or even suffered allergy attacks because of the animals.

Papa described the shelter as “a first-rate facility” that would be like many others across the country. The group envisions a building with two wings, one for dogs and the other for cats. The main part of the structure would house offices and a veterinary area. In between the wings would be a courtyard where dogs could exercise.

The property would include dog-walking trails and fenced areas people could rent to exercise their dogs, she said.

The natural beauty of the property would act as a buffer, with trees left standing between it and the neighborhood, she said.

The shelter would accommodate 50 dogs and up to 80 cats, she said.

After taking public comments, planners tabled Promises’ application for a conditional-use permit to build the shelter in the residential area, telling Papa to address as many concerns as she can for the commission’s April 1 meeting. Those concerns fall into areas of security, noise, odors and property values in the area where, neighbors said, people take good care of their properties.

Planners also said they want more details about where exactly on the property the shelter will be built, what it will look like and what sort of environmental impact could be expected.

The group is buying the property for $125,000 from Solid Rock Ministries on a contingency the city approves its proposal. It is not at the stage where it wants to spend tens of thousands of dollars for architectural and engineering work, Papa said. She said last week the planners required a site plan, which she submitted.

One planner suggested, though, that the group should invest in some design work.

Papa also questioned whether there could be a conflict of interest for the city’s code enforcement officer, Anthony Cioffi, who spoke against the shelter as a Vine Street resident.

John Russo, a city council member who lives in the neighborhood, also spoke against the shelter. Council will have the final say over the proposal.

Cioffi maintained that the property is swampy, with not much area to build on — a concern echoed by others at the meeting.

Papa countered that there used to be a golf course on the property, including buildings.

The school district sent its solicitor, Charles Sapienza, to the meeting to object.

The district, he said, is concerned about increased traffic, dogs breaking loose and children’s fears of dogs. Smell could also be an issue, he said.

Not everyone who lives in the neighborhood is against the shelter, however.

Bob Stoner, a Scott Street resident, said he believes the development would be an asset, noting that the property has been used as a dumping ground for burned-out cars. “I’m for it,” he said.

Planning commission member Chris Lloyd also told residents at the meeting the shelter would be a solution to dogs’ running loose in the city.

“I actually live five blocks from there, and I don’t have an issue with it,” Lloyd told The Vindicator last week. Lloyd said he will not be at the April 1 meeting when the commission votes on the conditional use.

Formed in 2000, Promises now houses dogs and cats in foster homes.

starmack@vindy.com