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Planning staff proposes zoning changes to permit vet clinics by right in office zones and revise kenneling rules
Summary
A planning department text amendment would allow veterinary clinics by right in several commercial and office zones, reclassify some kenneling uses, and clarify where kennels are permitted as-of-right versus by special use; the planning commission supported the changes unanimously.
Athens-Clarke County planning staff presented a second text amendment on Oct. 21 to revise where veterinary clinics and kenneling uses are permitted in the zoning code.
Staff said the amendment arose from an analysis showing veterinary clinics (medical functions for animals) are treated inconsistently in the code because kenneling has historically been a separate use that draws complaints (noise, overnight boarding). The draft change would allow veterinary clinics by right in AR (agricultural/residential), CD, CO and CN office/commercial zones, but would keep kenneling rules separate. Kenneling would remain permitted by right in AR, EI (employment/industrial) and institutional zones and continue to be a special use or not permitted in other designations, per the proposed table.
Commissioners asked whether the AR allowance would permit small clinics in close-in neighborhoods such as Bar H and whether the text could limit kenneling in AR neighborhoods that are primarily small-lot residential. Staff said a definition already in code distinguishes AR neighborhoods and that the amendment could be revised to exclude kenneling from AR neighborhoods by definition; staff offered to add the clarifying language if commissioners wished.
The planning commission supported the text amendment unanimously, and commissioners discussed sending it back with a minor change to ensure kenneling is not permitted in AR neighborhoods where lot patterns are small and residential in character.
Staff said the amendment is intended to better align the use tables with practical distinctions between veterinary medical services and unrelated overnight boarding operations.
