MASSENA - Code Enforcement Officer Gregory C. Fregoe said wording in the village’s code gives the planning board veto power on a proposed dog grooming business on Dover Street.

Despite being an acceptable home occupation for a neighborhood zoned residential, Mr. Fregoe explained that since Dover Street is in a “Residential A” zone, the board must approve site plans before a business can legally open.

Had the proposed business site been located in a “Residential B” zone, such as Grove Street, Mr. Fregoe said the board would only simply review the plans.

“Residential A says home occupations approved by the planning board,” he said, adding the proposal by April Castagnier is an otherwise approved use, appearing on a list of “accessory uses permitted after site plan approval.

If 16 Dover St. was located in a Residential B zone, Ms. Castagnier’s business proposal would still be an acceptable use, appearing on the list as an “accessory use permitted after site plan review.”

Mr. Fregoe said he doesn’t have a problem with the proposal and doesn’t understand why the plan has garnered so much attention.

“If she was just doing it and didn’t let anybody know than no one would even notice,” he said. “But she was trying to do things the right way.”

The village currently has two dog grooming shops located in areas zoned for residential use, however, Mr. Fregoe noted both Brighton Street and Grove Street are located in Residential B zones.

Ms. Castagnier’s proposal calls for “Ruff Around the Edges” to be open by appointment a few days a week. With pick-ups and drop-offs happening once every two hours, she anticipates a maximum of four to five clients per day.

“I’m not on the board and I don’t have a vote, but it’s a dog grooming place that’s going to be open two days a week,” he said, adding if he did have a vote he would support the project.

Ms. Castagnier currently operates Ruff Around The Edges out of the garage of her Bombay home, but she’s hoping to relocate to Massena.

A public hearing on the proposal will be held at 5 p.m. Aug. 8.

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