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Planning board approves vet clinic conversion at 13 South River Road with conditions
Summary
The board granted waivers and approved a change of use converting 1,261 square feet from a salon to a veterinary clinic at 13 South River Road, requiring a license agreement for pavement that encroaches on the public right‑of‑way and a condition prohibiting overnight animal boarding.
The Bedford Planning Board on May 5 approved an amendment to a previously approved site plan at 13 South River Road to change 1,261 square feet of space from a full‑service hair salon to a veterinary clinic.
George Chadwick, representing Poppy’s Place LLC and the prospective operator, described the small site and said the proposal makes no major exterior changes beyond updating the façade and awning. Chadwick asked for five waivers tied to the site’s nonconforming layout; the board granted the waiver requests unanimously.
As part of the motion granting final approval, the board required the applicant either to redesign the parking to remove pavement from the public right‑of‑way or to enter a license agreement allowing the existing pavement to remain; the applicant agreed to pursue the license agreement option. The board also added a condition prohibiting overnight boarding of animals at the clinic.
During the discussion the planning director asked the applicant to confirm the status of monitoring wells on the property; Chadwick said he would investigate whether any wells needed to be properly closed.
Why it matters: The site is a compact, previously developed parcel in the performance zone that was subject to a prior planning‑board condition requiring return of any change of use to the board. The decision preserves neighborhood controls (no overnight boarding) and addresses a pavement encroachment through a licensing option.
What happens next: The applicant must finalize the license agreement or redesign the parking, complete the required plan revisions and comply with the conditions listed by staff before plans are signed.
