Murphy planning commission approves new planned development district to allow CityVet clinic at FM 544

The Murphy Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve an ordinance creating a new planned development district (PDD) to allow a CityVet veterinary clinic with indoor kennels at 103 West FM 544, the commission said during a public hearing.

The change permits a veterinary clinic in a lease space between Panera and Freebirds at the Murphy Corner shopping center, altering the center's existing planned development retail zoning to explicitly add “veterinary clinic” as an allowed use.

Reagan, the city's planning director, told commissioners the applicant had originally submitted a building permit in December under the impression the use was allowed. After staff review, Reagan said the city determined veterinary clinics are defined separately from pet shops in the city's zoning ordinance and therefore required either a special use permit or a zoning amendment. Reagan said he advised the applicant to request the zoning change so the use would be added to the approved list of uses for the site.

Applicants Justin Bergen and Beth Bergen, who identified themselves as local veterinarians and prospective clinic operators, described their ties to the area and their plan to operate a medically focused clinic rather than a large boarding facility. Justin Bergen gave his address on the record as 561 Shiloh Drive, Lucas, Texas. He said the footprint proposed would not support overnight boarding or a full-scale “daycare/playdate” operation. “This is very much, Beth and Justin Bergen want to be here and work again,” Justin Bergen said.

Chris Lee, Senior Vice President of Real Estate Construction for CityVet, told the commission the company has operated since 1999 and that the firm's current prototype emphasizes medical services rather than large-scale boarding. Lee said CityVet uses sound attenuation, low-VOC cleaning products, and interior design features to limit noise and odor transmission to neighboring tenants, and that the company commonly colocates with retail and dining establishments.

Commissioners asked about outdoor relief areas for animals, odor and sound control, and parking. Applicants and CityVet representatives said potential outdoor pet-relief areas were being discussed with the landlord, Morgan Companies, and that each tenant has a separate HVAC system. Reagan said the site's parking meets the applicable retail/medical ratio and that the development was originally overparked, so the change would meet code.

The public hearing was opened and closed without public speakers addressing this item. A motion to adopt the ordinance creating the PDD was made, seconded and passed by voice vote; the commission approved the zoning change and welcomed CityVet to Murphy.

In other business during the same meeting, commissioners approved the minutes from the Feb. 24, 2025 planning and zoning meeting; staff introduced newly assigned fire marshal John Grant and provided updates on a decision to retain a median cut in the Murphy Gardens concept pending any future zoning change, and on the master plan RFQ process, where staff said three finalists would be interviewed in early April and a recommendation sent to City Council.

The commission chair closed the meeting shortly after the PDD vote; staff noted the commission's April meeting date and possible additional meeting in May related to planned development amendments.