Stach's Moto Cave cleared for 804 W. Main St. building in Owosso

A do-it-yourself motorcycle repair shop is cleared to move into a large vacant building at 804 W. Main St. in Owosso's Westown district, and the dog grooming business in the front of the building is staying put behind thicker, sound-deadened walls.

The Owosso Planning Commission approved a special land use for the shop, identified in the city planner's report as Stach's Moto Cave, on a 5-1 vote, according to draft minutes included in the commission's June 22 packet. The approval covers a do-it-yourself motorcycle repair facility with used motorcycle sales and parts as an accessory use. The motion, made by Commissioner Osika and supported by Commissioner Taylor, described the use as "a motorcycle repair facility that includes technical and educational training and sales."

The commission attached four conditions. There is to be no outside display or storage of motorcycles or parts. Motorcycles may idle only inside the building, and there is to be no revving of engines. Noise attenuation must be placed in the walls separating the pet grooming space from the motorcycle shop. And the project still needs review and approval from applicable city departments, agencies and consultants.

The noise conditions came out of the review by Hannah Smith of OHM Advisors, the city's planning consultant, whose report said the use should not produce excessive noise, smoke or odors but raised a specific concern: "the noise created by a motorcycle facility could negatively impact the pets in the grooming business in the front building space."

Brian Worrell, described in the minutes as the potential owner of the building and the proposed business, told the commission during the public hearing that he intends to keep the dog groomer and will build thicker walls to protect that business from noise. He said signs will be posted stating that no revving is allowed and that violators would be removed from the business, and that he will construct a soundproof room for revving motorcycles during repairs. He said he wants to work with local schools on creating small engine repair classes, that management will always be on site, and that he intends to close by 6 p.m. each night. He also described a pollution incident prevention plan, exhaust management and fire suppression.

The consultant's report tied the project to the city's master plan, which calls for preserving "the unique identity of Westown while pursuing mixed-use and traditional building projects." Using the property as a do-it-yourself motorcycle shop "will add a level of creativity to the area while occupying a large vacant building," the report said. It noted there is ample public parking behind the building for staff and customers, that all repair work will be done inside, and that no exterior improvements are proposed. If outdoor storage or display is ever proposed, a separate special land use review would be required.

Vice-Chair Robertson, who ran the meeting, cast the lone no vote. The minutes do not record a reason. The meeting opened with a moment of silence for Chairman Frank Livingston, who the minutes say recently died. The same commission went on at its June 22 meeting to approve a 44-unit Quonset-hut-style apartment development on Bradley Street, which The Current reported this week.

What happens next: the special land use is approved, but the record does not include an opening date, and the shop still needs sign-off from the city departments, consultants and agencies named in the commission's conditions before it can operate. The commission's next steps on the property would come only if the owner seeks outdoor storage or display, which would trigger a new special land use review.