Following review, Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members have approved a request from Fairfield Equine Associates to expand the terms of its existing special permit to allow the firm to create two more apartments for veterinary students at its 32 Barnabas Road facility in Hawleyville.

The firm has a hospital for sport horses, including surgical facilities, at the 14-acre site. 

Nancy Stevens, representing Fairfield Equine, presented the apartment proposal to P&Z members at a brief February 5 public hearing.

Under the plan, Fairfield Equine would create two apartments in existing attic space for veterinary students, known as “externs,” who work at the hospital for short periods. In the past, the hospital received P&Z approval for two existing apartments there, which are used by veterinary students known as “interns,” who work at the hospital for long periods.

Externs typically work at the hospital for two-week periods during the warmer weather. Interns typically work there for one-year periods.

The hospital is staffed around the clock.

Ms Stevens told P&Z members that the space that would be converted into two extern apartments is now used for storage. No square footage would be added to the facility, she said.

The apartment construction request comes in view of business growth, she said.

Following discussion, P&Z members unanimously approved the apartment request. Members decided that the application meets the standards and criteria for a special permit, is consistent with the regulations for the M-1 (Industrial) zone, and conforms with the purpose and intent of the 2014 Town Plan of Conservation and Development.

Fairfield Equine is located in an industrially zoned strip of land on the north side of Barnabas Road. That industrial zone lies between Barnabas Road and the Housatonic Railroad’s rail line.