AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
SCW-17-01 (The Cattery Lounge) Hold a public hearing and consider a request by Heather Aidala for a SmartCode Warrant to allow the use of a kennel within a T5 Zoning District located at 235 North LBJ Drive, Ste B. (A. Villalobos)
Body
Meeting date: May 9, 2017
Department: Planning and Development Services Department
Funds Required: n/a
Account Number: n/a
Funds Available: n/a
Account Name: n/a
CITY COUNCIL GOAL: n/a
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ELEMENT(s): n/a
BACKGROUND:
The subject property is located at 235 North LBJ Drive, Suite B and was previously occupied by the Stratosphere Hookah Lounge. The property is located within the Downtown T5 SmartCode District, and the development regulations for this district promote dense, mixed use, and pedestrian oriented development.
The applicant is proposing a non-profit adoption facility, Cattery Lounge and Snackery, in partnership with PAWS Shelter of Central Texas. The Cattery will provide temporary care and adoption for cats and kittens and include a lounge to allow interaction between patrons and the adoptable cats and kittens. All cats and kittens will be spayed/neutered and shall have all necessary medications and vaccinations through PAWS. The business will also feature a snack and merchandise area at the front of the space which will include pre-packaged foods and beverages and consignment merchandise and crafts. The cats will be located within an open lounge and will be moved to a smaller enclosed room overnight. The kittens will be in a separate room from the cats at all times.
The space is approximately 1,500 square feet and includes an existing atrium area at the front, an ADA bathroom, and a separate storage and maintenance area at the rear. Proposed improvements to the space include adding walls to create a snack and merchandise area at the front, a partitioned kitten area, and a litter and sleeping area that is separate from the lounge. The applicant will also be making necessary upgrades to the space such as adding fiber-reinforced polymer paneling on the walls (FRP) to comply with the Animal Services Department requirements. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday - Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
Staff provides this request to the Commission for your consideration and recommends approval of the use of a kennel with the following conditions:
1. The warrant shall apply strictly to the Cattery Lounge and Snackery and the currently proposed business plan;
2. The premises shall be limited to no more than 10 cats and no more than 6 kittens (under 6 months of age) at any given time;
3. The floors shall be improved to a sealed, impermeable surface such as a sealed concrete or epoxy and shall include a sealant where the walls meet the floors. All existing and proposed walls shall be improved to a non-porous material in accordance with Animal Services requirements, and shall include a sealant at all edges;
4. Per Animal Services requirements, all shelter waste must be property sealed and secured prior to disposal;
5. No vertical cat climbing equipment shall be allowed on the wall separating the Cattery and the adjacent business at 235 North LBJ Drive, Ste A;
6. The applicant shall add sound-proof insulation to the wall separating the Cattery lounge and the adjacent business at 235 North LBJ Drive, Ste A; and
7. The premises shall comply with all Health, Fire, Building, Animal Establishment, and applicable City codes and ordinances.