Planning commission approves Webster Park zoning change

SPRING VALLEY — Spring Valley Planning Commission members had to weigh the rights of the many against the rights of the individual Wednesday when Dr. Stephen Dullard appeared before them to request a zoning change.

Dullard, who owns and operates the Ancare Veterinary Clinic on the city’s east side, would like to expand his business and parking lot and was asking for permission to rezone the lot at 101 Oak St. from residential to commercial to make room for the project.

The project did not meet with the approval of many of the residents of Webster Park, the area located south of Dullard’s business. About 35 residents attended the meeting, and one resident presented petitions with 130 signatures opposed to the project.

Dullard, accompanied by Alan Russell and Tim Phalen, both of Phalen Steel in Mendota, explained the proposed project. Dullard said the current building is 45 years old and not able to accommodate recent changes in veterinary medicine. He said the new building would include more exam rooms, more room for advanced procedures and physical therapy, and a larger lobby. The plan also includes more parking spaces.

Dullard said he was trying to be a good neighbor and investing in Spring Valley, and the new facility would be something in which Spring Valley should be proud.

Members in the audience didn’t agree.

One man asked if the city had considered asking Dullard to move to the city’s industrial park, which generated several loud “Amens.”

In response, Mayor Cliff Banks asked the audience members if they supported the doctor.

“Every business in this town I support because of all the empty buildings we have in this town,” Banks said.

Other audience members listed their complaints. One woman who recently bought the house next door said she would not have bought the house if she had known the plans. Another person said Dullard didn’t need to go into residential property, and another urged him to move the business into some of the empty buildings in the downtown. Still others expressed concerns with property values.

Traffic was another concern. Webster Park is located at the top of the curves along Route 6, and it’s difficult for residents to exit the subdivision. The expansion called for routing the animal clinic traffic, estimated at five to six cars per hour, through the neighborhood to the Elm Street exit instead of onto Route 6.