The Dorr Township Planning Commission Tuesday evening granted conditional approval for the Dorr Veterinary Clinic’s site plans for expansion.
Dave Lucas, director of construction for FCC Construction Inc., told commissioners the plan is to construct a 4,000-square-foot addition 24 feet high to the south of the current facility “to support growth and business at the operation.”
But neighbor Tom Zomberg said he has not seen a survey completed as promised last December and no stakes designating property lines have been established. He was told the survey was done electronically by a GPS system.
“As far as I’m concerned, that property has never been surveyed. I don’t know where the property line is.”
Eric Thompson of Professional Code Inspections told Zomberg he’d be happy to walk the property with him and said stakes will be installed.
Commission Chairman Bob Wagner said to Lucas, “We need you to come out and put in the stakes.”
The conditions for approval include the stakes, visible survey, lighting changes and blessings from the Allegan County Health Department for a new septic system and approval from the Allegan County Drain Commission. The clinic already has approval for a second driveway.
Lucas said he expects to get final approval by the end of the month and for construction to begin sometime in May.
Wagner indicated he is impressed with the blueprint of the plans.
“It’s absolutely a beautiful setup,” he said. “It’s a well put together program.”
“My congratulations,” said Vice Chairman Robert Traxler. “That’s a very ambitious project.”
Dr. Kayce Koski, the clinic’s veterinarian, said the sign in front of the driveway will be the same size, but the logo will be changed.
In other business at Tuesday’s meeting, the commission:
• Learned that a bill to have the state control the wedding barns issue died in committee, so the township is back to square one on zoning for such facilities.
“So now the township has to fend for itself, but I suggest we incorporate a new ordinance into the update for the master plan.
• Voted 6-1 withTerri Rios dissenting, to recommend Professional Code Inspections be hire to lead the process of updating the master plan.
Rios said she would take the issue to the Township Board later this month, but noted policy dictates the township to take three bids for anything that costs more than $5,000.