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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />Monday, April 16, 2018 <br />6:30 o'clock p.m. <br />Nicole Speck, Orono, noted The Woofington is for small dogs only and that there is a need for a large dog <br />space in Orono. As part of this proposal the dogs will be fenced in and will be supervised. Speck stated <br />their clients bring their dogs to them so the dogs can learn to be well behaved and that they want to <br />provide that service in a way that is productive for everyone. Speck stated they are open to feedback from <br />the neighbors, noting that the dogs will not be permitted to bark constantly. If there are dogs that are not <br />able to be helped, they will be let go. <br />Speck indicated she has worked in the dog industry for 20 years and that the goal is to create great canine <br />assistance for the community. Speck stated in her view the way they have structured it achieves that goal. <br />Hasse stated because the ordinance does not necessarily contemplate this type of use as it relates to <br />parking, theoretically by ordinance they will exceed the parking requirements for the proposed business <br />use. The second building will just be used for dogs and one staff member. Hasse indicated people will <br />drive in at the front, drop off their animal, and leave. Hasse stated in their view the parking is adequate, <br />but that they do have a 35 percent hardcover limit so they have the ability to add parking if necessary. <br />As it relates to the second driveway, Hasse stated that is an old, unmaintained driveway that they would <br />be happy to remove since they do not plan on using it. <br />Speck commented their kennel is unique and that they will not be kenneling dogs in the traditional sense. <br />The facility will be a cage -free boarding facility and the dogs will be treated like they are in their own <br />home. Speck noted they will only be kenneling a very small percentage of dogs by reservation only and <br />those dogs will be with a staff member. <br />Hasse stated offering boarding to their existing daycare clientele is the goal and that this will not be the <br />traditional boarding kennel where people can just bring their dog in. Hasse indicated they will be catering <br />to a higher clientele so their dogs can have an at-home experience. <br />Thiesse asked on average how many dogs there will be at the facility. <br />Hasse stated the smaller structure will handle 15 dogs at capacity but that it is not likely all those dogs <br />will be there at the same time. The bigger structure will have around 35 to 40 animals at capacity. Hasse <br />stated in the summertime there might be a greater capacity by using the outdoor area but that they are <br />looking to create a quality experience for the dogs. <br />Speck stated they are primarily a daycare for the dogs during the day and that nighttime boarding of dogs <br />will be very limited. The overnight capacity will probably be ten dogs. The business will primarily be a <br />Monday through Saturday daycare and that they will only be taking the best of the dogs to be kenneled <br />overnight. Speck indicated there will not be high volume on the weekends. <br />Thiesse asked how many dogs there would be per staff person. <br />Speck indicated they are looking at 1 to 15 or 1 to 12. <br />Hasse stated that is considerably better than industry average, which is 1 to 30 is acceptable <br />Lemke asked what the hours will be. <br />Page 10 of 21 <br />