The Victor Planning Board held public hearings Tuesday on two active proposals: a new dog grooming and kennel facility on State Route 96 and a 4.4-megawatt solar farm off Main Street Fishers. No final decisions were made on either application.
Bow Wow Dog Salon seeks approval for kennel operation
The board conducted a public hearing for Bow Wow Dog Salon, which is seeking a special use permit and site plan approval to convert an existing building at 7235 State Route 96 into a dog grooming and boarding facility. The applicant, Mario Aquino, said the plan includes 43 indoor kennels, a grooming area, fenced outdoor play areas, and office space.
Christian Doer, who prepared the application, described the project as a “workshop session” with the board due to uncertainties in the town’s code regarding kennels. “The code is very vague in terms of what do we do for a kennel,” he said, noting the zoning requirement for two acres while the proposed site is just over one.
Doer said the applicant has already attended two Zoning Board of Appeals meetings and continues to work through concerns, which may include barking noise and lot size.
Board members asked detailed questions regarding noise mitigation, waste disposal, and fencing. The applicant described an 8-foot sound-dampening fence and turf surfacing in outdoor areas to manage dog waste. Overnight boarding would occur indoors, and dogs would be outside only during the day.
Board member Joe Logan expressed interest in the sound study, which used barking audio at 112 decibels to test the impact at nearby Auburn Creek apartments. Aquino said the test detected “no difference than the noise” of traffic and crickets.
The board also requested more information about lighting, drainage, fencing materials, and landscaping. “It would be helpful to see on the site plan if you’re going to be replacing the blacktop,” said Wes Pettee of LaBella Associates, the town’s engineering consultant.
The project will next go before the Ontario County Planning Board and return to the Zoning Board of Appeals on August 18. The Planning Board will revisit the proposal after those reviews are completed.
Norbut Solar Farm hearing continues
The board also continued its public hearing for the Norbut Solar Farm, a proposed 4.428-megawatt solar energy facility on a 34.93-acre site off Main Street Fishers. James Kritacos of BME Associates, representing the applicant, presented updates including a detailed tree survey and glare analysis.
According to Kritacos, 629 trees with diameters over six inches were identified on the site. Of those, 441 trees—or about 70%—would be removed. He said this complies with the town code, which limits tree removal to 10% of the lot area. “We believe we’re fully compliant with that town code requirement,” he said.
A key topic of discussion was the potential for glare at a nearby residence, identified as Observation Point 5. Kritacos explained that glare would occur primarily from mid-March to late September, averaging 13 minutes per day, and only during periods with full foliage. He said the applicant would plant 30 evergreen trees to block the panels from view.
Tracy Gray, a nearby resident, raised concerns about potential eye strain, property devaluation, and vegetation impacts. “You’re asking an awful lot of us who live around this to be okay with it,” she said. “We’ve paid our taxes, and now it’s going to go the other direction.”
Another neighbor, Evan Runner, questioned the accuracy of the tree survey, stating that he observed dozens of large trees not reflected on the plans. He also asked for additional screening due to his property’s higher elevation and direct views of the site.
Planning Board members requested that the applicant overlay fencing boundaries on future maps and ensure vegetation buffers are properly documented. “We’ll be talking through the SEQR process once we get that information,” Logan said.
Other items removed from agenda
Six other projects initially scheduled for review were removed from the agenda and will be discussed at future meetings. These include proposals from Stewart Tree Service, Tria Site Plan Modification, Walmart Addition, Chick-fil-A Restaurant, Element by Westin Hotel, and Timberview Estate Subdivision.
- Victor Planning Board approves fireworks tents, fencing, and pole barn; solar project advances too (video)
- Victor Planning Board three projects, Chick-fil-A item moved to next agenda
- Victor planning approves building expansion, subdivisions, and EV charging stations (video)
- Planning board reviews Timber View Estates, site plan modifications in Victor
Next steps and future meetings
The Planning Board’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 26. According to project manager Keith Maynard II, the agenda will include acknowledgment of a sketch plan for two new lots on Cheshire Ridge and a public hearing for Bell Atlantic’s request to install a 28-foot decorative antenna pole at 211 High Point Drive.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.