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Land Use Commission recommends special use for Royal Treatment Veterinary Center at 815 Howard Street
Summary
The Land Use Commission voted to send a positive recommendation to City Council for a special use allowing a daytime veterinary clinic at 815 Howard Street; commissioners recused by conflict were recorded.
The Land Use Commission voted on Aug. 27 to recommend that City Council grant a special use for Royal Treatment Veterinary Center at 815 Howard Street, a proposed daytime veterinary clinic and rehabilitation center.
Staff framed the request as a special use for an animal hospital under Evanston zoning (section 6‑9‑4‑3) in the B‑3 business district and noted the commission’s role was to make a recommendation to City Council under section 6‑3‑5 of the Evanston zoning ordinance. Applicant Barbara Royal, a veterinarian with prior practices in the region, told commissioners the clinic would be day only, offer integrative services including acupuncture and rehabilitation, operate primarily by appointment, and would not board animals overnight. “Everyone comes only by appointment,” Royal said, describing scheduling and onsite procedures she expects to use to limit traffic impacts.
Staff and the commission reviewed the special‑use standards, including compatibility with the comprehensive plan, impacts on neighboring property values, and availability of parking and public facilities. Staff concluded the proposed use met the standards: the site already had a prior medical use, the property is served by transit and an adequate on‑site parking supply (13 spaces), and the applicant proposed standard measures for medical waste and pet relief areas.
During deliberations one commissioner recused because the applicant is the commissioner’s veterinarian; the commission recorded one recusal and one abstention noted in the roll call. The motion to recommend approval included the department’s recommended conditions; the Land Use Commission voted to forward a positive recommendation to City Council (7 votes in favor, 1 recusal/abstention noted in the record). The commission instructed the applicant to coordinate with staff on conditions and council process.
The City Council will take the final decision under the zoning code and may adopt or modify staff‑recommended conditions before granting a special use and any required permits.
