Committee reviews special-use request for 8,000-square-foot veterinary clinic near Woodman’s

The Arthur Arc Committee of the Whole heard a presentation July 7 about a special-use application for a veterinary clinic proposed on a 1.59-acre parcel off Hansen Boulevard near Oak Street, in front of the Woodman’s development. Planning staff Nathan said the applicant proposes “to build a veterinary clinic, approximately 8,000 square feet,” with exam rooms, surgical rooms, x-ray rooms and “areas for up to 20 animals at a time.” Nathan said the clinic would not be an emergency veterinary hospital and “does not have kennels or overnight stays.” The project is inside the Willard’s Crossing planned unit development (PUD), which staff said was originally developed as part of Woodman’s in 02/2005. Staff told the committee the site plan meets PUD standards and the municipal code. Staff member Steve said the project first appeared to the board as a concept review and later went to the planning commission, which held a public hearing and “received a unanimous recommendation of approval from the planning commission, with just a couple of conditions.” Those planning-commission conditions are that signage comply with the sign code, mechanical equipment be screened, and a sidewalk be added along Oak Street. Brad Heffner, the project representative who identified himself as representing the architect and builder, introduced himself at the meeting and said he and Dr. John Coyne, identified as the head doctor, were available to answer questions. Heffner and Dr. Coyne confirmed the clinic’s operations would be standard business hours with no regular overnight boarding. Trustees and staff asked a small number of clarifying questions about hours, patient types and timeline; Heffner estimated construction would begin after permits are issued and “maybe a year from right now” to complete the building. No formal vote or final site-plan approval was taken at the Committee of the Whole; staff said the project still needs site-plan approval and special-use approval through the PUD process. Materials submitted for the record list the Willard’s Crossing PUD and applicable sign code provisions as governing documents to which the project must conform. Committee members did not express unresolved objections to the site plan but noted pending administrative approvals remain. If the applicant proceeds, the next steps cited at the July 7 meeting are administrative site-plan review and completion of the special-use process under the PUD; no dates were set on the record for those steps.