DogTown Daycare owners propose second location
Doggie daycare is coming to Raynor Avenue.
The Riverhead couple that owns DogTown Daycare on Route 48 in Southold is proposing a similar venture for Riverhead.
Anthony and Rebecca Pollina are proposing to convert a vacant Raynor Avenue building just south of Apple Honda into what they are calling the Hydrant Hotel.
The Facebook page they created for the business calls it a “luxury pet hotel” that will feature boarding, daycare, grooming, training and holistic provisions.
The 8,000-square-foot building on the 8-acre site is currently vacant. It’s previously been used by Newsday, an auto body shop and for potato storage. The proposed venture would take up 1.3 acres, according to the application.
“This will be our second venture into this type of business,” Mr. Pollina said. “We have one in Southold that’s currently been running for seven years.”
Their application for the new project was the subject of a public hearing at the Riverhead Town Planning Board Thursday night. There were no speakers other than the applicant and their representatives, but Planning Board members asked a number of questions, particularly on the issue of noise.
“Typically, our operation is quiet and closed down by 7 p.m. and the rest of it is inside,” Mr. Pollina said.
Dogs are not kept outside at night, and won’t have runs where they can go inside or outside on their own.
“The only time the dogs are outside is with staff members during daylight hours,” he said.
There will be two fenced outdoor runs for dogs to go out unleashed with a staff member, according to the plans. The proposal also calls for two exterior daycare rooms, a dog walk yard, a boarding room, a grooming area, a food preparation area, a laundry room and office space, according to the application.
“We’re looking to open as soon as possible,” Mr. Pollina said. “We didn’t think it would take this long.”
He said they hope to be open by spring.
Board members took no action on the application.
