To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw to update Section 5.6.3 USE REGULATONS FOR MU, PUD, I, T, and OS DISTRICTS, to allow animal daycare; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of Kristin Anderson and ten registered voters)

 In 2021, Warrant Article 35, Industrial Uses, was filed by the ARB to address the antiquated table of uses and density and dimensional requirements that prevented the attraction of new and modern uses to Arlington’s Industrial Districts. New uses were added to expand on existing artistic and creative production uses. During that update, discussion around uses focused on aligning opportunities in the Industrial Districts with the needs of the creative economy as described in the Arts and Culture Action Plan. Review of other potential uses was not contemplated at the time.

The petitioner noted that there are at least two businesses interested in opening animal daycares in the Industrial zone, and that there is a proven need for these facilities in town as pet owners often have to bring their pets out of town for daycare services. Animal daycare is currently allowed in the Business districts and could be provided through mixed-use in the Industrial district. This Article would allow animal daycare as a use in a single use building in the Industrial district.

The Board is supportive of adding animal daycare as a use and noted its particular suitability for the Industrial district. The use is sometimes seen as incompatible with residential neighborhoods due to concerns about noise and waste disposal; online resources recommend searching for warehouse-style real estate with an open floor plan and some outdoor space.

In their discussion, the Board reiterated their intent to review Industrial District uses more comprehensively in the near future to see how other uses align with Arlington’s Master Plan. This review is anticipated to begin this summer, with the potential for additional uses to be proposed at an upcoming Town Meeting.

VOTED: Favorable Action (4/0)

That the Zoning Bylaw be and hereby is amended as follows:

By inserting a row under “Veterinary and animal care; accessory overnight boarding only for veterinary/medical care in an enclosed building” for the specific use, “Animal day care”, and adding the letter “Y” to the “Use Regulations for MU, PUD, IT, T, and OS Districts” table in Section 5.6.3, in the under the column labeled “I”; so that last row under “Personal, Consumer, and Business Services” in the table reads as follows: 

5.6.3 Use Regulations for MU, PUD, I, T, and OS Districts

Report of the Arlington Redevelopment Board

Background submitted by Kristin Anderson, Precinct 11