05/23/2007 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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place a condition requiring PetSmart to periodically perform odor and noise testing at the North Olmsted site once it is constructed. Mr. O'Malley reviewed the differences between the two conditional uses being requested and agreed with the Building Commissioners request for periodic noise and odor tests. Mr. Lee, the applicant's attorney, and Mr. Whiteaker, PetSmart Zoning Manager, addressed the request. Mr. Lee reviewed his client's lengthy process of working with the city to get to their meeting with the commission. Mr. Lasko questioned if the landlord had an opportunity to review and approve PetSmart's proposal to add the PetHotel. Mr. Whiteaker answered yes and suggested if the conditional use permit was granted the landlord would allow them to extend their lease an additiona125 years. Mr. Lee reviewed that the indoor PetHotel was a new concept and would provide 24 hour care for dogs and cats, with normal business hours that are currently practiced. The facility will have only one entrance which is used for the existing PetSmart store. There will be two separate air circulation systems within the hotel which will not create a burden on the government facilities or existing store. All noise and odors will be contained within the building. The rear wall of the existing PetSmart store is 367 feet from the nearest residentially zoned property line as shown on their site plan. The exterior walls of the hotel will match the store's existing walls in both colors and materials. The only change in governmental services will be from the fecal matter being added to the sewer system which the North Olmsted Service Director has determined would not create an added burden. Traffic patterns to and from the store will not be effected as there is ample parking and pets are allowed on site now. The requirement of providing periodic studies once the hotel is opened would be quite costly, so they asked that an economically feasible method for testing with the city be arranged. The applicant reviewed conditional use permit criteria and standards in Chapter 1118.03(a) through ( fl and described that the proposal met all of the general conditions and is compatible with the existing shopping center. Mr. Whiteaker reviewed the layout of the PetHotel which includes a check-in area, walking paths, play areas, laundry room, grooming area, bone booth, 53 large dog rooms, 72 regular dog rooms, 10 dog suites and 12 cat rooms. The hotel is cleaned a minimum of twice a day or more depending on the traffic volume. Total occupancy in compliance to the Humane Society standards is 160 animals on site. Dog and cat areas are kept separate so they do not come into contact with each other at any time. The rooms in the atrium are stainless surrounds with wire gates. The remaining rooms are metal stud framed walls with ceramic tile. Mr. Malone questioned how the back door would be utilized. Mr. Whiteaker advised that the door was an existing door which would not be used but kept for emergency exit only. There will be employees/caregivers on site 24 hours a day. Third shift employee totals will depend on the number of pets in the hotel. Mr. Malone questioned the need for the vet sign when there is not a permanent vet on site. Mr. Rerko believed that the report was not as important as the building materials. There should be soundproof glass in lieu of single pane glass. If masonry is used instead of drywall it will vibrate the sounds not buffer them. Perforated decks are shown in the space which should include buffering materials atop the deck. He questioned if the buffering methods took into account different size dogs' barks which have different frequencies. He felt the city should set decibel levels for the applicants not to exceed and then leave it up to them to use building materials to ensure the decibel readings are not exceeded. If the facility is constructed of nothing but concrete then the sounds will be amplified by the concrete. Mr. Whiteaker said the Duke study submitted was conducted at their prototypical store which has solid masonry block wall 4