By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — A veterinary clinic/retail pet supply store at the old Men’s Wearhouse at 950 Post Road East this week got a paw-stamp of approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The commission signed off on Kind Pet LLC’s request to renovate and occupy the building at the corner of Colonial Road.

No exterior renovations will made to the building and there will be no outdoor pet activities.

The use is less intensive than other recent visions for the property.

“This project will only involve interior renovations and improvements necessary for the operation of a first-class, high-quality pet retail and veterinary care resource for cats and dogs,” said the architect, Rick Redniss of Redniss and Mead, in a letter to neighbors.

“There will be no pet daycare or non-medical pet boarding services. No outdoor pet areas or other exterior changes are proposed,” he continued.

“We have been really engaged with the neighbors,” said Sara Sharp, a land-use attorney for the applicant. “I think we’ve answered all of their questions.”

The applicant’s representatives and the neighbors had discussions and the plan got a warmer, fuzzier reception than earlier ideas. It was approved unanimously Monday by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Still, conditions were attached, including one requested by an adjoining neighbor, Lv Xu, and honored by Redniss. The neighbor said she has children and worried about X-rays administered in the building.

Redniss said safety guidelines were already in place by higher regulatory agencies, but they’d agree to a condition that the X-ray room be located at least 10 feet from the southerly wall of the building.

Commission Chairwoman Danielle Dobin gave the Colonial Road neighbors credit for braving several applications over the years.

“The neighbors to this site are amazing,” Dobin said. “They’ve been on a real roller-coaster because there’s been so many different possible permutations of projects here.”

The last proposed use for the property was a golf entertainment center. That had neighbors concerned about spillover parking on Colonial Road, and other issues.

Those applicants for the golf center are now seeking to use 1608, 1610, 1620 and 1622 Post Road East. The effort appears to faring better there.

Thane Grauel grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond for 35 years. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.