Planning commission approves Webster Park zoning change

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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.

Some of the audience members expressed frustration with Banks. One said Banks had agreed to support the residents if they gathered 100 signatures, and now he still wasn’t supporting them.

Banks said he did agree there was a problem but asked residents if they wanted to lose another business.

Banks asked the audience to think about the revenue, but several voices replied, “It’s not all about money.”

Commissioner George Forsa asked Police Chief Kevin Sangston, who was in attendance, if there had been any complaints about garbage or noise, and was told no. Forsa also had concerns about traffic and said he didn’t want to drive traffic into the neighborhood.

Commission Chairman Nate Cullinan also said he didn’t see anything wrong, but Commissioner Bob LeClercq disagreed.

“The neighbors don’t want it, and they have to live with it,” LeClercq said. “Zoning is supposed to protect the neighborhood.”

LeClercq’s comments were met with applause, but he ended up standing alone. The commission voted 5-1 to recommend the city rezone the lot, with commissioners Forsa, Cullinan, Mark Actis, Ken Pisarczyk and Lynda Hanson voting in favor and LeClercq opposed. Commissioner Frank Frasco was not present.

The recommendation now goes to the city council, and at least one Webster Park resident was determined not to give up.

“It’s not over yet,” he said after the meeting. “The aldermen still have to vote.”

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