Planning commission approves dog grooming business at 128 Main Street with soundproofing condition

The Seal Beach Planning Commission on April 21 voted 5-0 to approve a minor use permit for a 600-square-foot dog grooming business at 128 Main Street, with conditions requiring participation in the Main Street in-lieu parking program and building-department approval of soundproofing for animal areas.

Associate Planner Patricia Garcia told the commission the property sits on a rectangular lot of about 2,937 square feet on the southern portion of Main Street between Central Avenue and Ocean Avenue; the proposed tenant space will be 600 square feet. The city’s records show the building was developed for commercial use with living quarters in 1948 and later remodeled into two storefronts, 126 and 128 Main Street. The grooming business requires two parking spaces; because no on-site commercial parking can be provided the applicant agreed to comply with the Main Street in-lieu parking program permitted by the Seal Beach Municipal Code. Garcia also told the commission the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under a Class 1 categorical exemption for existing facilities and tenant improvements.

The applicant described basic operations and staffing. Hailey Leowardi, the proposed business owner, said the shop will provide baths, haircuts and nail trims and initially be staffed by one full-time groomer and one full-time grooming assistant. Planned hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a possibility of additional hours or staff as the business grows. Justina Wilkam, who identified herself as the applicant’s sister, said the owners expect customers to drop off pets while shopping or dining on Main Street and pick them up later.

Several Main Street merchants and residents spoke during public comment to oppose placing another service business in that block. Kim Kelly, a Main Street merchant and licensed real estate broker, said allowing more service uses risks changing the character of Main Street: "Once we allow the real estate agent in, we then have to allow the attorney in, we then have to allow the insurance agent in, And it starts to change the feel of Main Street and the reason that people come here." Kelly said there are already several grooming-related businesses in the area.

Therese Miller of Old Town also questioned whether a grooming business best serves the city’s revenue and visitor goals, noting a downtown vacancy count and the desire for uses that draw dining and retail spending rather than additional service businesses.

Commission discussion addressed compatibility with the Main Street specific plan and potential impacts. Commissioners and staff noted the Main Street specific plan envisions a mix of visitor- and resident-serving uses and provides a process for considering uses that are not strictly retail or restaurant. Commissioner discussions compared grooming to other first-floor customer-service uses such as hair and nail salons and said the use can be pedestrian-oriented and draw foot traffic. The commission’s final approval included an amendment making the permit subject to building-department approval of the soundproofing required by Condition 8 of the draft resolution to reduce noise impacts on the adjacent residence.

A motion to approve the minor use permit (listed in the staff report as Minor Use Permit 2024-008) passed unanimously, 5-0, with the added condition that the building department review and approve soundproofing measures for areas occupied by dogs. The city attorney noted there is a 10-day appeal period that begins the day after the decision.

The commission’s action allows the owner to proceed with tenant improvements and to satisfy required conditions prior to operating. No effective or opening date for the business was specified during the meeting. The commission adjourned and said its next regular meeting is scheduled for May 5, 2025.