Soledad to allow limited outpatient veterinary services in downtown via permit

The Soledad City Council on Dec. 17 introduced a downtown specific plan amendment (Ordinance 774) that separates veterinary‑related uses into three distinct definitions and allows limited outpatient veterinary services for household pets in the downtown core under a minor use permit.

Economic development director Beatriz Trujillo said the downtown lost a veterinary clinic in the industrial area and staff is trying to address a service gap. The three new definitions are: (1) veterinary clinics (comprehensive medical and surgical services, overnight observation and hospitalization — not permitted in the downtown core); (2) animal boarding and daycare (kenneling and related services); and (3) veterinary services — limited treatment (small‑scale outpatient care such as wellness exams, vaccinations and routine minor procedures, explicitly for household pets, with no overnight boarding or hospitalization).

Under the proposed changes, limited outpatient treatment would be allowed in the downtown core through a minor use permit that staff can review and condition; the Monterey Street and downtown edge zones would keep existing discretionary review (CUP or MUP) consistent with the overall specific plan. Council members emphasized the need to protect downtown retail character and asked that staff define “short” versus “long” stays for boarding and clarify the household‑pet definition to exclude ranch animals such as horses or cattle. Staff said the planning commission suggested similar clarifications and requested that the city craft clear definitions and conditions.

Council introduced the ordinance (waived reading) and scheduled formal adoption for Jan. 14. Staff said applicants for the downtown core will be reviewed through the minor use permit process and that planners can add conditions to address parking or nuisance concerns.