Zoning board approves variance allowing Hamilton Animal Hospital to consolidate into adjacent suite

The Clawson Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday approved a variance to allow Hamilton Animal Hospital to expand its operations into an adjacent suite at 1523 through 1537 North Main Street, a move that keeps the building's exterior footprint unchanged while allowing interior demolition and upgrades.

The board voted 3-0 to grant the variance from the setback requirement in Section 4.29(b) after hearing a planner's presentation that the combined clinic would remain within the existing footprint and would not extend closer to the neighboring residentially zoned property. Chair Cindy Smith opened a public hearing, and no members of the public spoke.

Planner Andy said the closest point of the combined building is "about 80.5 feet," then "juts down to 85.5 feet," with "most of the building [at] 95.1 feet" from the residential district. He told the board the proposed change would extend an existing nonconformity rather than create a new encroachment. Andy also noted the site plan reviewed and conditionally approved by the Planning Commission on Aug.…