Council advances ordinance to allow small-animal veterinary clinics in general business district; removes 150-foot distance requirement

Vermillion City Council voted Oct. 20 to advance Ordinance 15-47, which would amend the zoning code to allow small-animal veterinary clinics as a conditional use in the General Business (GB) district without the current 150-foot distance requirement from residential structures.

City planning staff presented the ordinance after a denial of an earlier site application prompted the council to request a code amendment to expedite placement of a veterinary provider in town. The proposed ordinance removes the 150-foot separation requirement and includes a prohibition on outdoor kenneling at clinics; kenneling remains regulated and would still require separate consideration.

The City Planning Commission met earlier the same day and recommended unanimous approval (8-0) of the ordinance as drafted. Public comment included support from Jim Peterson on behalf of the Vermillion Chamber Development Company and Dr. Green (the prospective clinic owner), who remain interested in a downtown site.

Councilor Price moved to advance the ordinance for a second reading at a special meeting on Oct. 27; Councilor Holland seconded. Councilors discussed concerns about removing the distance rule citywide and the possibility of a future amendment that would retain a distance requirement in some circumstances but exempt clinics that do not kennel animals outdoors.

The council advanced the ordinance to second reading by voice vote. Staff and the planning commission recommended the change to address immediate need for a veterinarian while retaining regulatory controls on outdoor kenneling.