Council schedules Aug. 28 public hearing on allowing veterinary offices in downtown; 36 N. Walnut in focus

Chillicothe City Council on July 28 voted unanimously to set a public hearing at 5 p.m. Aug. 28 to consider a zoning-text amendment that would allow veterinary offices in the Downtown Enterprise (DE) District, and to consider an associated request for 36 North Walnut.

Council read aloud recommended conditions supplied by the law director that would apply to veterinary offices permitted in the DE District. Those conditions include: operation by a licensed veterinarian; all principal clinic activities conducted inside a fully enclosed building; no outdoor pet enclosures or runs; boarding limited to incidental treatment or surgery (with video surveillance if animals are boarded overnight); outdoor exercise permitted only under direct staff supervision on an odor-controlled surface and prohibited between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.; daily removal of all waste with no on-site burial or incineration; and compliance with "Ohio Revised Code chapter 4741 regarding veterinary practice standards, waste disposal, and sanitation." Council directed the clerk to publish notice for the Aug. 28 hearing.

Why it matters: developer and property owners have sought reuse of a vacant building at 36 North Walnut for veterinary medicine. Supporters told council they believe the use would diversify downtown services and serve residents who lack nearby veterinary access. Opponents and some procedural points raised during public comment relate to timing and whether code changes should wait for the city’s comprehensive rewrite of the zoning code.

Public commenters

- Natalie Baldwin, 145 South Paint Street, outlined the history of applications for 36 North Walnut, saying the owners filed a zoning change application in October 2024 and a zoning-text amendment in January 2025, that the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended a code change on March 31, 2025, and that applicants were not told until July that the comprehensive rewrite would preclude consideration until the rewrite was complete. Baldwin asked that council consider the property concurrently with the DE District readings and, if the public hearing later disallows the conditional use, to drop the 36 North Walnut matter.

- Benjamin Dutchess, 78 South Walnut St., apartment 313, said he is wheelchair‑dependent and supported locating a clinic near downtown to serve residents without a vehicle.

Council action and vote

A council member read the law director’s recommended text amendment and formally moved to set the public hearing; the motion received a second from Councilman Creed and passed by roll call: Bennett—yes; McCourt—yes; Barnes—yes; McKeever—yes; DeMent—yes; Preston—yes; Dunn—yes; Creed—yes.

Authorities and code references

- The motion and recommended conditions referenced compliance with Ohio Revised Code chapter 4741 (veterinary practice standards, waste disposal, sanitation). - Council said the hearing was set "in accordance with the recommendation of the planning commission and, in accordance with Chillicothe ordinance number 11.17.07" and that the amendment would be to "Chillicothe ordinance 11.51.03." Those ordinance citations were read during the motion.

Next steps

The Aug. 28 public hearing will allow formal public comment and will be the opportunity for council to take the first official vote on the proposed amendment and the specific rezoning/conditional-use matter for 36 North Walnut.