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Quincy zoning board delays decision on home‑based pet grooming at 11 Freeman Street after neighborhood opposition
Summary
The Quincy Zoning Board continued an application for a home‑based pet grooming business at 11 Freeman Street to May 12, 2026 after multiple neighbors and City Councilor Deborah Riley raised concerns about parking, noise and safety. The applicant said grooming would be by appointment, one dog at a time.
The Quincy Zoning Board on March 10 continued a proposal to operate a low‑impact, home‑based pet grooming business at 9–11 Freeman Street to May 12, 2026, after neighbors filed multiple written objections and board members said they expected the application would not pass if put to a vote tonight.
Applicant Shyang told the board she would groom a maximum of three dogs per day, “by appointment only, only one dog at a time,” and that she would not provide overnight boarding. She said she would make no exterior changes to the house and that a family member would handle drop‑offs and pick‑ups.
City Councilor Deborah Riley and several board members pressed the applicant on neighborhood outreach and regulatory requirements. Riley asked the clerk to read into the record six written objections submitted to the zoning office. The letters, read aloud, cited concerns about increased traffic, limited on‑street parking, noise from multiple dogs and the impact on the residential character of Freeman Street.
One letter-writer objected that dogs had been loud at night, another raised concerns about children’s safety near the property, and several asked that the applicant meet neighbors before the board acted. After the letters were read, Riley told the applicant she should meet with the councilor and neighbors and suggested withdrawal if the applicant preferred to do more outreach before returning to the board.
Chairman Marty Acres said the board had only four members present and explained that with that quorum, a variance would require four affirmative votes to pass. He observed that “if we had a vote tonight, it wouldn’t pass,” and urged the applicant to consult with neighbors and the councilor before the next hearing.
The board formally moved to continue EVA 2575 to May 12, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., providing time for neighborhood meetings and any revised materials the applicant wishes to submit. The motion passed by voice vote.
What happens next: The applicant is expected to meet with Councilor Riley and nearby residents before the May 12 hearing; the board also noted applicants should provide any revised plans to the zoning office ahead of the meeting.
