Marlborough Muzzles Plan For New Pet Grooming Business

MARLBOROUGH, MA — The Marlborough City Council has put a muzzle on a proposed dog grooming business.

The council voted unanimously Monday night to deny a special permit sought by All Fur Love owners Marquel Frink and Divino Oliveira. The pair wanted to open the new grooming business in a vacant commercial space at 75 Lincoln St., which is in the middle of a residential neighborhood.

In December, Frink told councilors during a public hearing the couple would buy and upgrade the building, and would have nine spaces at the site available to customers. The business would not board dogs, Frink said.

But during an Urban Affairs Committee meeting last month, councilors said they feared the business would increase traffic — and dog-related noise — in the neighborhood. The council needed to grant a special permit for the business because that section of Lincoln Street is zoned for residential only.

At-Large Councilor Kathleen Robey, who chairs the Urban Affairs Committee, said Marlborough tries to welcome businesses, but sometimes decided locations are not a good fit. Councilors have encouraged All Fur Love to find a new location in the city.

"Sometimes, we decide their choice of location is inappropriate," Robey said Monday.

All Fur Love has another location in Medway along Route 109. The Lincoln Street building they tried to buy was the former home of Skin & Bones, an antique restoration business.