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Planning Commission approves Rossmore Pet Hospital conditional use permit at 1910 Tice Valley Boulevard
Summary
The Walnut Creek Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for Rossmore Pet Hospital (application Y24-082) after staff described the site's layout, hours and noise mitigation; the commission approved the resolution by roll call vote.
The Walnut Creek Planning Commission on Jan. 23 approved a conditional use permit for Rossmore Pet Hospital at 1910 Tice Valley Boulevard, allowing a veterinary clinic with five exam rooms, a treatment area, a surgical room and an on-site pharmacy to operate at the Rossmore Shopping Center.
Staff said the facility will operate Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; and will be closed on Sundays. The commission heard that there will be no overnight boarding of animals and that after-hours needs would be handled through partnerships with nearby 24-hour veterinary hospitals. The commission voted to adopt the CEQA determination and approve the draft resolution for conditional use permit application Y24-082.
Assistant Planner Gerardo Victoria, Community Development Department, presented site context, zoning and the proposed floor plan, saying the tenant space is located within the Rossmore Shopping Center and is surrounded by retail and residential uses. Victoria described the zoning as Planned Development 2189, with a General Plan designation of general retail, and said staff’s initial concerns about noise and overnight boarding were addressed because the treatment and surgical rooms are soundproofed and the business plan states there will be no overnight boarding.
The applicant, Dr. Vikram Sohi, a veterinarian and project applicant, described how short-term convalescent care would be handled and confirmed the practice will refer any patient needing overnight monitoring to 24-hour emergency facilities. Dr. Sohi said, “So, in a general practice, we do not board pets. So let's say a pet is sick and, for example, needs fluids. So the pet will be will be with us. You know, we'll run, you know, the diagnostics, do blood work, X rays, whatever is needed. Let's say the pet is in on fluids. They are all discharged by the end of the day before we close.” He added that if a patient requires overnight care, the clinic will refer to local emergency hospitals, giving Lafayette Vet Emergency Hospital as an example.
Commission discussion focused on clarifying the distinction between temporary convalescent care and overnight boarding; staff and the applicant confirmed the business intends no overnight boardings and has agreements with 24-hour hospitals for transfers when necessary. No members of the public spoke for or against the project during the public hearing.
A motion to approve the draft resolution for conditional use permit application Y24-082 was made and seconded; the roll call vote recorded yes from Commissioner Kwok, Commissioner Ward, Commissioner Klopp, Commissioner Naiting and Chair Strongman. Vice Chair Anderson and Commissioner Reiser were absent. The motion passed.
The permit allows the clinic to operate as described in the staff report and the draft resolution; conditions include compliance with the city’s land use regulations and the CEQA determination adopted by the commission. The facility’s stated hours, internal layout (five exam rooms, treatment and surgical areas, and pharmacy), and the applicant’s commitment to refer overnight cases to 24-hour hospitals are recorded in the planning file.
