Pet Grooming, Boarding Store Aims for St. Michael Spot

The old Sports Diamond location in St. Michael may be going to the dogs.

That’s the hope of Mark Oshlansky of Dram Investments, a business based in Golden Valley.

Oshlansky is hoping to turn the former sports retailer into a pet grooming, boarding and training location, with a complete pet store on the retail front.

The group filed plans with the St. Michael Planning Commission last month, and plans were brought to the St. Michael City Council at its final meeting in March.

Oshlansky will be in front of the P and Z board again Wednesday night at its April meeting with final plans and recommendations.

The request is to have a dog run and dog boarding as part of the complex, something that the city said drew some concerns from neighbors in the industrial and retail complex along Highway 241.

Oshlansky originally said the building cold hold “up to 150 dogs,” according to his request for a conditional use permit with the city.

That drew some raised eyebrows from business owners in the area, the P and Z board and the city council, as concerns of noise, smell and traffic were expressed.

The developer has continued to work with the city, and said 50 to 75 dogs would be adequate to make the business work. The applicant also hopes to have an area on the complex to use for outdoor training and exercise.

City council member Joe Marx said March 27 that he likes the idea, but the city should work closely with businesses in that neighborhood to make sure everyone’s OK with the new development.

That’s something Mary Anderson is working on, according to Community Development Director Marc Weigle. Weigle said he’s looking into other similar businesses in places like Minnetonka  and Eagan.

At the P and Z public hearing last March, owner Mike Torgesen and ’ David Carlson were present to express neighborhood concerns about noise, smell and sanitation.

The St. Michael Planning and Zoning Commission will address the proposed business at its meeting set for 7 p.m. tomorrow.