SPCA must expand to meet growing need Shelter seeks zone change to allow for addition BY LAYLI WHYTE Staff Writer Dog gazebo EATONTOWN — The Monmouth County SPCA is seeking a zoning change that would allow the shelter to undertake a major expansion. The MCSPCA animal shelter has been located on 3.5 acres on Wall Street for more than 60 years. The shelter is located in a residential zone, where it is not a permitted use. Ursula Goetz, executive director of the MCSPCA, along with attorney Mark Aikens and architect Robert DeSantis, attended last week’s Borough Council meeting to make an appeal for a zone change so the shelter could expand and better serve the community. According to Goetz, the new facility would mean a 4,000-square-foot expansion to the existing facility. “Because the use now is nonconforming,” said Aikens. “We need to obtain not only site plan approval for everything we do, but also a ‘d’ variance for a use not permitted in the zone.” Aikens said the MCSPCA has a master plan in mind for the facility, and that an amendment to the borough’s zoning ordinance would allow the organization to go through the borough Planning Board for site plan approval only, rather than apply to the Zoning Board for a use variance. Adoption Center and low-cost spay/neuter clinic Mayor Gerald Tarantolo said he would be in favor of the change. “I think you have a great facility,” he said, “and I endorse what you’re trying to accomplish here.” Aikens will meet with Borough Attorney Gene Anthony to work out the details of the ordinance change. According to Aikens, the master plan includes changes to the MCSPCA site that would improve its aesthetics, relocate the onsite thrift shop, which is a major source of revenue for the nonprofit organization, and reduce noise from the site. “We would take the thrift shop and relocate it at the end of the existing parking lot in a different building,” Aikens said. The existing main building would be renovated, and existing animals runs and outdoor animals areas would be enclosed. “We think there will be significant noise abatement and noise reduction,” said Aikens. “That’s good for the residents. It’s good for us. It’s good for everybody. It’s a win-win.” Goetz said that the old chain-link fences will no longer be used on site, and that gazebos, with room for up to four dogs in separate compartments in each, would take the place of the chain-link dog runs. “We’re working with an acoustical engineer in order to reduce the noise significantly,” she said. “The noise level will be extremely reduced. It will be a totally different facility.” Councilman Theodore Lewis said he would be in favor of the change, but that he wants the new ordinance to be narrowly written. “I would like to try to find a way to make the use in the zone accommodate the MCSPCA,” he said, “but not have dog-grooming places up and down Industrial Way.” Aikens said there are restrictions that can legally be added to the ordinance that would work specifically for the MCSPCA, including requiring that any such animal shelter in the zone be a nonprofit entity, as well as adding a clause that would only allow shelters already in existence at the time of the ordinance change to be permitted in the zone. Aikens said that any site plan regulations set by the borough would be followed by the MCSPCA’s master plan, and that any change to the ordinance would not attempt to change any setbacks or height restrictions in the zone. Goetz said that construction on the site would be done in three phases and would begin as soon as approvals from the borough are granted. Aikens said that DeSantis has already prepared a site plan for the property. “Typically,” said Aikens, “a party would not go to the expense and effort of having a site plan made up for a use not permitted in the zone, but this would serve as a basis for the ordinance, so, pardon the pun, the tail isn’t wagging the dog.” Goetz said the changes that would be implemented as a result of the master plan are needed in order to meet the growing needs of the community. “This past summer,” she said in an interview last week, “the number of cats we had here grew to 400, and we had 100 kittens on the waiting list to come in. We also had 60 cats in foster care with our employees. We also had a number of bun- nies and gerbils and birds and between 50 and 60 dogs. “The community has grown and we need to move forward with our master plan to accommodate the needs. These aren’t our animals. The animals belong to the community.” The current facility currently includes, in addition to the shelter and thrift shop, a spay and neuter clinic and a caretaker’s home. According to Goetz, the caretaker’s home would be moved to an apartment above the new thrift shop, in order for there to be 24-hour supervision on site. “We need to have staff here 365 days a year,” she said. “We’re like a nursing home or a hospital. Someone is always here.” In addition, the new facility would include an expanded humane education program aimed at reducing animal cruelty. “It’s part of our mandate to deal with cruelty cases,” said Goetz. “We’re the shelter for over 20 municipalities for strays because there are no county shelters. Ocean County has two county shelters. Monmouth County doesn’t have one.” Goetz said that wildlife is often brought to the facility, and that in recent months, the number of wild animals brought in has grown as construction in the area has increased. “We would like to break ground by April,” she said, “no later. By this time next year I would like to see a different facility, and we want the community to be involved.” Goetz said that the project is being funded through fundraising efforts, sales from the thrift shop and donations, and that any donations for the project will be gladly accepted.