Planning commission recommends zoning changes to define and allow veterinary clinics in more districts

The Muskegon City Planning Commission recommended Feb. 12 that the city commission amend the zoning ordinance to add a definition for “veterinary clinic” and allow clinics in several additional districts, including multiple form‑based code districts.

Staff told commissioners they had been working with Glen Park Animal Hospital and noted the current ordinance treats veterinarians differently across districts — allowed by special‑use permit in some zones and by right in others. Staff said the proposed amendment narrows the concern about overnight boarding by keeping commercial kennels limited (commercial kennels remain allowed only in I2/industrial if intended for overnight holding), while allowing clinics in more retail and form‑based contexts. “We don’t even have a definition for a veterinary clinic,” staff said when presenting the draft text.

Staff reported that Glen Park Animal Hospital typically does not provide overnight lodging, though an occasional single overnight stay may occur for medical reasons. Commissioners discussed building types and agreed that clinics in mixed‑use buildings should trigger notification and possibly special‑use review to protect shared‑wall situations.

With no public speakers, the commission closed the hearing and voted to recommend the amendments to the city commission. The recommendation will allow the applicant or other veterinarians to pursue site proposals in more districts; if a clinic proposes shared‑wall contexts staff said a special‑use permit and neighborhood notice would likely be required.

Actions and next steps: The recommendation goes to the city commission for final action; when an applicant seeks a specific site in a shared building the planning commission will review special‑use permit conditions such as hours and odor/noise mitigation.