MARLBOROUGH – A Lincoln Street business site that has been vacant since 2019 may remain vacant for the foreseeable future.
On Jan. 24, the City Council’s Urban Affairs Committee voted to deny a special permit for a Medway-based dog-grooming business called All Fur Love that sought to expand into Marlborough.
Although committee members approved of the business itself, they had concerns about the proposed business’ impact on traffic and noise.
“It’s already a busy street,” said Councilor Sean Navin.
“Adding a dog-grooming business would be wonderful, but the impact would be detrimental to the neighborhood,” said Councilor Laura Wagner.
Another issue – the site at 75 Lincoln Street is located within the Residential B district, where mixed-use is not allowed. There’s also a question on whether the site is still a pre-existing and nonconforming use, given that the site has been vacant for nearly four years.
“[The proposed use] is not allowed,” said Councilor David Doucette. “But there is a shortage of groomers in town.”
Councilor Kathleen Robey, who chairs the committee, suggested that the applicants find another location within Marlborough.
“It’s a good business … just not there,” she said.
All Fur Love
The site was the former home for Skin and Bones, an upholstery and woodworking business specializing in restoring antiques. It closed in 2019, and in 2020, a roofing company had its permit denied by the city for the location because it was not a permitted use.
Marquel Frink and Divino Oliveira, who run a dog-grooming business in Medway, would like to open All Fur Love at the site.
During the meeting with the Urban Affairs Committee on Jan. 24, Frink presented more details about the proposal – the dog-grooming business would be downstairs, with rental units upstairs.
On Dec. 5, they appeared before the City Council for a public hearing.
Frink said she and Oliveira have more than 20 years of experience in dog grooming. Should they receive approval from the city, they would like to purchase the building and update its exterior and landscaping.
She added there are 11 parking spaces at the site; two would be used by staff, and the remainder by clients.
There would not be a dog day care or a self-wash station, she said.
“I definitely think there’s a business here,” said Frink, adding that they have a lot of clients from Marlborough and vicinity.
The special permit application will return to the City Council for its next meeting on Feb. 6.
