Dog Fight: Residents, owners of Arbor Dog Daycare at odds over expansion

Dogs get their exercise at the Arbor Dog Daycare this afternoon. The business is hoping to expand to allow more dogs on site, but residents are protesting.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

"We don't appreciate the noise, the smell - we hear them during the day," said Jodi Simpson, a resident of Balmoral Park Condos who spoke at tonight's meeting.

Simpson said she and her neighbors are opposed to the expansion because they think it will lower the value of their homes. The residents say it's not so much the daycare that causes noise, but rather the fact that employees are out walking barking dogs during the day.

At the urging of the city's planning staff, the Planning Commission postponed approval of the expansion tonight following a public hearing that drew input from both sides. Commissioners advised the business owners - Margaret and Jon Svoboda - to meet with residents and see if they can sort out their concerns.

In the meantime, the city's planning staff has other issues it wants to address regarding Arbor Dog Daycare's request for a special exception use for the 6.5-acre property at 2856 S. Main Street. The site is on the west side of South Main Street, north of Eisenhower Parkway and the Briarwood Mall.

Margaret Svoboda said the business currently employs about nine people, and that will double with the expansion.

Margaret Svoboda, owner of Arbor Dog Daycare, appeared before the Planning Commission tonight to request approval to expand the business. Action on approving that request was postponed for now.

Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com

"We would like to grow our business and give exceptional care to more dogs," she said, suggesting there's a great need in the community. "Dog daycares offer people with dogs who work a place to bring their dogs to get their energy out and to socialize the dogs so they're better citizens when they go to the dog park."

The business owners are seeking approval to expand the existing dog kennel facility from 3,200 square feet to 8,800 square feet, increase the capacity from 25 to 125 dogs and expand hours. Daycare services for dogs currently are offered weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The business owners want to expand hours from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.

No major physical improvements are proposed. Instead, the daycare owners plan to use an additional 5,600 square feet of vacant space at the northeast corner of the 25,000-square foot building and 13 existing parking spaces to the east.

Prior to tonight's meeting, commissioners were provided copies of at least four letters from residents opposed to the expansion. Some worried the number of dogs currently allowed on site already bark loudly.

Barbara Exel, executive director of University Living, a 90-unit senior housing complex at 2865 S. Main St., said the business has made it difficult for residents in her complex to enjoy being outside. She said she also has concerns about possible odors and increased traffic from the expansion.

Elaine Davidge, residential manager for Brookhaven Manor, a senior apartment complex at 401 W. Oakbrook, entered a petition into the record tonight signed by residents of her complex who oppose the expansion.

Arbor Dog Daycare has been in business at its current location just north of the Briarwood Mall for three years, providing a solution for dog owners who want their pets cared for while they are away during the day.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

"I can't believe and they can't believe that we will not hear 125 dogs right next to us and that will disturb our residents," Davidge said. "They won't have the enjoyment of their patios and balconies or open up their door walls to enjoy the air."

Margaret and Jon Svoboda told city officials they held two information meetings in November, and only one resident showed up. The business owners have submitted a petition with more than 60 signatures of support for their project.

"We've been there three years. The only time people started coming out of the woodwork (to complain) was when we wanted to ask to be able to do something like this," Jon Svoboda told commissioners.

"In three years that we've been at this location, we have never personally received a single complaint from anyone," added Margaret Svoboda.

Ann Arbor resident Sean Stayduhar said he and his wife have been customers of Arbor Dog Daycare for the last three years and have not regretted it.

"We do not take our dog care lightly - our dogs are our children - so for us to drop our dog off somewhere would be like somebody with kids dropping their kids off at a daycare," he said. "Really, they do a great job and I personally from driving out and being there ... have not heard the noises and things that are a concern."

Commissioner Jean Carlberg said she went out and explored the site today and noticed there was a slight sound of barking, but nothing offensive. But other commissioners said they have no choice but to take residents' concerns seriously.

The city's planning staff recommended postponing approval of the special exception use to give the business owners time to address staff comments.

Commissioners said they want more details on the outdoor "dog run" area on the site and the level of outside activity it will entail. They also want more information on parking, noise levels and possible odors coming from the site.

Under the city's zoning ordinance, kennel facilities for small animals such as dogs must be completely enclosed in a sound-proof building and cannot produce objectionable odors, according to a staff report.

Jon Svoboda said there aren't smell issues because all waste is bagged, sealed and disposed in a Dumpster. He also cited a sound study that showed the level of noise created by the dogs is less than the noise coming from Main Street.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.