Zoning administrator approves minor conditional use permit for veterinary clinic at 730 Bennett Valley Road

The Santa Rosa zoning administrator approved a minor conditional use permit on an application to operate a veterinary hospital at 730 Bennett Valley Road.

City staff told the zoning administrator that the proposed clinic would operate five days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., that no exterior building changes are proposed, and that interior alterations would proceed through the regular building-permit process. The project planner said the property is in a commercial-office zoning district with a general plan land-use designation of office and is surrounded primarily by medium-density residential uses.

During public comment, a resident said, “I think it looks like a good use as well.” The applicant’s representative did not present additional materials but told the zoning administrator, “No. We appreciate you guys taking the time to go through our permit.” After hearing staff’s recommendation, the zoning administrator said he agreed with staff’s analysis and approved the minor conditional use permit.

Staff’s report noted a condition requiring any existing fence to move through the city’s design-review process. The planner said the project was found to be categorically exempt from CEQA because it involves only a change of use. The planner also discussed parking and said the use’s parking needs were reviewed; the staff report included parking and site-plan analysis as conditions of approval.

The decision is final unless an appeal is filed with the Planning and Economic Development Department within 10 calendar days from the decision; staff stated the appeal deadline for this item is Monday, May 12, 2025.

No other unresolved issues or public objections were recorded in the staff report or during the meeting.