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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 28, 2015 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 11 of 27 9. #15-3768 MICHAEL AND LISA LARSON, PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT RELATED TO DOG BOARDING AND GROOMING IN B-1 ZONING DISTRICT (continued) McMillan noted the City worked with the Narrows Saloon to have a double-door entry to help mitigate the noise and that may be necessary in this situation as well. McMillan stated she has a concern with the drop-offs and dogs going in and out creating an intermittent noise that might affect the surrounding residential area. Walsh stated he shares some of the same concerns, and that when the dogs are going out in groups of six or ten every 15 minutes and there are 60 dogs, different dogs will be out there constantly. Walsh stated the biggest times these facilities are being used are typically on the weekends and the holidays, which is when the neighbors will want to be out in their yards. Walsh stated he can hear dogs in his neighborhood four or five houses down and they are beagles. Walsh stated he has a concern with disrupting an entire neighborhood, especially given the amount of investment. Mike Larson, Applicant, stated they were tasked two weeks ago to come back and explain to the City Council what the sound impact will be on the neighborhood. Larson indicated he spent a lot of time Monday night going over the sound impacts with the Planning Commission. Larson stated their primary objection was sound, which they understand, but that they have put a lot of time, energy and resources to make sure those objections are overcome. Larson stated they have empirical evidence that shows these facilities are not a nuisance to the communities and that there have been zero complaints during the life of these establishments. Larson stated in his view there are a lot of assumptions related to an old-schooled kennel, which is not what they are building. Larson indicated they will be constructing a state-of-the-art facility that will mitigate sound to the best of their ability. Larson stated while they cannot eliminate noise entirely, no business in the B-1 zoning district can. Larson noted there are three gas stations at the intersection of Highway 15. Larson stated the City cannot tell him that his business will be louder than those businesses. In addition, there is an approved restaurant/bar that has music until 1 a.m. Larson stated they have data that proves otherwise for their proposed use. Larson stated they have come before the Council because they want to show the Council that they have done their homework. Larson commented he is not sure how much more they can provide the Council in this regard. Larson indicated they have made some changes to their plans in response to the concerns expressed by the Planning Commission and the neighbors. The lobby will be relocated to the back of the building and there will be a double glass door. In addition, the relief area will be moved to the south part of the building that is closer to Shoreline Drive and the indoor suites near the northern most part of the building have been moved further south in the building in an effort to remove any potential for sounds to the adjoining property. Lisa Larson indicated she did visit Wolf Central on Penn Avenue. Larson stated she walked into the facility and it was silent. Larson stated she is not exaggerating when she says silent. That facility consists of 11,000 square feet, with 5,000 square feet being indoor play space. Larson stated the owners of that facility have done some sound mitigation to the building so it is silent and not disruptive to the neighbors. Larson noted they have not received a single complaint.