Board raises employee cap at Silia Veterinary Clinic to 20 FTEs after parking assurances

Attorney Ari Pollock and Dr. Tom Hack appeared for the Silia Veterinary Clinic at 37 Iron Works Road and requested modification of a 2002 variance condition that limited on‑site employees to 11. Pollock said the practice is busier than it was when the condition was imposed and that the clinic can accommodate employees with a combination of 15 on‑site spaces, on‑street parking, car‑pooling access to a regional park‑and‑ride, and a newly signed license for six spaces on an abutting property. "The practice is busy. It's growing. It needs more staff to operate meet patient needs," Pollock said.

Staff reviewed the record and noted the site’s parking requirement under the ordinance is approximately one space per 500 square feet of veterinary space; the tax card showed enough square footage to support 11 spaces and staff said the clinic’s combination of on‑site and off‑site parking would allow the practice to operate with a higher employee headcount. The board discussed whether the employee cap was an appropriate long‑term restriction and concluded the numerical limit was atypical and that permitting additional staff with the parking plan in place was reasonable.

The board unanimously approved amending the prior variance to allow up to 20 full‑time‑equivalent employees, and the decision will be reflected in the notice of decision. The board and staff noted the change does not authorize additional building expansion; it modifies only the prior condition limiting head count.