Upscale Dog Resort Proposal Barking Up Wrong Tree: Downers Grove Residents

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — At a recent Downers Grove Village Council meeting, residents were quick to voice their disapproval of a proposed dog boarding facility. If plans go through, the doggie daycare will be built in the former site of Walgreens at 7221 Lemont Road.

Downers Grove residents specifically expressed concerns about noise that would come from an outdoor play area to be located on the east side of the building. Marvin Schaar, who has lived in Downers Grove with his wife for 31 years, presented a petition signed by 179 members of the nearby community asking the village council to vote against the proposal in its current form.
Schaar said he felt the noise would be “significantly detrimental to [him], [his] wife and other residents within the vicinity,” adding that the noise could harm property values.

The proposed outdoor play area could house up to 35 large dogs at once, Schaar said.

Gay Barwald, the chief operating officer and president of Pete and Mac’s Pet Resort outlined the proposed building plan, saying the outdoor play area would include a roof, 6 ft. solid vinyl fencing and noise baffles to help deflect sound. The outdoor play area would close daily at 6 p.m.

Downers Grove residents who live nearby do not think this is enough of a compromise.

Resident Jodie Andrys, whose front yard would look directly onto the back of the proposed pet resort echoed Schaar’s concern about home values decreasing. She worries that her own dogs will bark and cause additional noise in the neighborhood if they hear other dogs barking.

The proposed dog resort would include a full-service pet spa, pet education and would be able to accommodate dogs for short- and long-term stays while their owners are away. Staff members at the resort call the dogs “guests.” Barwald added that there would be a staff member on-site 24 hours a day.

Downers Grove Village Council members will vote on the proposed pet resort at its next meeting on May 9.

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