Urban Affairs unanimously denies special permit for Lincoln Street dog grooming shop

MARLBOROUGH — January 24, 2023 — Urban Affairs votes 5-0 to recommend denial of dog grooming permit on Lincoln Street. The committee, chaired by Laura Wagner, rejected a special-permit application from Markel Frink and Divino Oliveria, operating as All For Love, to run a one-station grooming shop at 75 Lincoln St. with two rental units upstairs. Wagner cited the city's 2020 Zoning Board of Appeals denial of a roofing-contractor yard at the same parcel, which found "the right to continue a non-conforming use does not allow the owner to change to a fundamentally different use." Councilor Sean Navin said allowing grooming in a Residence B district would set "a challenging precedence." Ward Councilor Samantha Perlman pointed to speeding and traffic on Lincoln Street between the Bolton Street and East Main Street signals. The matter goes to the full City Council Feb. 6.