A new dog grooming business could be coming to Sugar Grove.
During a Jan. 29 special meeting, members of the Sugar Grove Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals reviewed a request for a special use permit.
The applicant, Jennifer Rainford, is looking to set up a dog grooming business in town at 91 Sugar Lane.
The property is currently zoned as B-1 Community Shopping District. Though dog grooming businesses are not permitted uses, village staff found that it is allowable with a special use permit, officials said.
In her remarks to the panel, Rainford took time to introduce herself and her business.
“I own Lucky Dog Grooming in Hinckley,” she said. “We have been in business at this location for 4 years this April. Our business has seen tremendous growth, and we’re pleased to be at a point that we are able to expand and offer our services to other communities.”
Lucky Dog Grooming provides customers and their four-legged companions with grooming and bathing services.
“We currently have quite a few Sugar Grove customers, and we’re always encouraged to bring our business to Sugar Grove,” Rainford said.
She said she is unclear why a special use permit is necessary in this instance.
Citing some differences between the applicant’s petition and village staff’s recommendation, Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Irv Ochenschlager said the village could allow it under the basis of a special use permit.
Rainford said she is agreeable to the terms set forth about hours of operation and the conditions under which pets are allowed outside the premises.
She said she is not concerned about having less space at the Sugar Grove location compared to the facility in Hinckley.
“To be fair, we have a lot of wasted space at our Hinckley location,” Rainford said.
She said the Hinckley location is about 1,100 square feet, and the Sugar Grove facility is about 800 square feet.
The panel provided a positive recommendation of the applicant’s request.
The Sugar Grove Village Board of Trustees will have the final say about whether to issue the special use permit to Lucky Dog Grooming at its Feb. 4 meeting.
“I hope to be open by the end of February,” Rainford said.