Date: Fri 14-May-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-Berkshire-Veterinary

Full Text:

P&Z OKs Veterinary Hospital Expansion

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has approved the construction of an

addition to Berkshire Veterinary Hospital at 1 Toddy Hill Road in Sandy Hook.

After a presentation and discussion May 6, P&Z members unanimously approved

the development plan submitted by veterinarians John and Karin Roumanis.

The veterinarians plan to build a 2,300-square-foot addition to the

5,000-square-foot facility which was approved by the town in 1985. The

facility includes living quarters for the veterinarians.

The new construction will house additional veterinary space, dog runs and a

garage bay.

In a report on how an expanded hospital for small animals would affect traffic

in the area, traffic engineer Irving Chann wrote that the project would have

"minimal impact on area roadways." Only a small number of vehicle trips would

be generated by an expanded hospital, according to Mr Chann.

The hospital is in an M-4 Industrial zone and also within the town's Aquifer

Protection District.

The expansion plans call for increasing the number of dog runs at the hospital

from 7 to 28. Also, two new employees would be hired and three more parking

spaces would be created. The hospital currently has five workers.

Attorney Bill Denlinger, representing the Roumanises, said the veterinarians

have done well at the facility and would like to increase its size.

"We just don't have adequate space for the animals," John Roumanis said.

Although an expanded hospital will have 28 dog runs, the facility won't always

house 28 dogs, he said.

Engineer Alan Shepard explained technical aspects of the expansion plans to

P&Z members, explaining how septic waste disposal will be handled on the site.