Rezoning approved for new animal hospital – The Sarnia Observer

Rezoning for a new animal hospital in Sarnia’s north has been approved.
Rezoning for a new animal hospital in Sarnia’s north end has been approved.

Sarnia city council this week approved site-specific zoning to allow a 320-square-metre animal hospital in a plaza at 1125-1137 Lakeshore Rd., just west of Murphy Road.

Demand for veterinary care has “exploded” in the past few years as more people have adopted pets, said spokesperson Dylan Stewardson of the Forest Veterinary Clinic.

Even with another veterinary clinic very near by, “I don’t see anyone’s veterinary business being affected, just for the demand that’s required for pets and pet owners right now,” he said about the pending Sarnia location.

The new clinic plans to open before the end of 2023, he said.

There are also referrals commonly made between veterinary clinics depending on specializations, said Talia Richardson, another spokesperson with the Forest clinic.

The clinic’s new “companion animal hospital” location in Sarnia hadn’t yet been named when an August application for rezoning, which included a letter from veterinarian and owner Dr. Rachel Laird De Groot, was submitted.

When it opens, there are plans for two to three veterinary technicians and two to three veterinarians to work at the clinic, the letter outlined. De Groot’s letter also noted the Sarnia area is presently underserviced for veterinary care.

“We will be a full-service hospital offering internal medicine, surgery, dental care, laser therapy, ultrasound, radiographs, mobile house call services, and prophylactic care such as nutritional counselling, anti-parasitics and immunizations,” the letter stated.

“We will be offering services that are exclusive and not available from the surrounding competitors,” including orthopedic procedures, diagnostic ultrasound and a mobile licence for house calls.

The process for rezoning has been underway since June, council heard.

“We have a significant number of clients that are travelling a long distance from Sarnia, all the way out to Forest, to meet our doctors,” Stewardson said about the need for the new location.

“We have six doctors at Forest and not enough current space to keep everybody busy.”

Much of the conversation at council centred around a piece of related correspondence that was received after the package was prepared for council.

That person had not been aware there was a vote at council Monday, Coun. George Vandenberg said.

He and others on council initially suggested delaying the decision to allow potential objectors confused about the process an opportunity to speak. Instead, councillors opted to go ahead with the recision since there’s a 20-day appeal period.

Stewardson said veterinary officials spoke with the person before the meeting and addressed concerns about barking dogs, parking and green space.

“They seemed very content” with the response, he said.

Appropriate notification through signs, letters and newspaper postings in line with provincial requirements was made in advance, city staff said.

If the decision was delayed, the clinic might have trouble retaining staff, Stewardson warned.

“The longer this takes, how long are we able to retain staff in an industry that needs it, but we don’t have the infrastructure to do that,” he said.

One of the client’s representatives, Lou Longo, chastised council for considering a delay, noting delays cost money.

“That’s why this city has a negative view in the rest of Ontario,” he said. “You’ve got to stop delaying. You’ve got to make decisions. We’ve got to move the city forward.”

Coun. Brian White said there’s nothing wrong with asking questions.

“I think it’s just part of the process,” he said.

The councillor said he’s also pleased with the pending development.

“Happy to see another business moving into a vacant building.”

Coun. Bill Dennis asked if the new location would consider an after-hours service, which has long been absent in Sarnia. He said he’s heard “gut-wrenching” stories of owners taking their pets to London.

Richardson said that possibility is  “definitely something on our minds, just no solid plans for that yet.”

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