The City of Alamo Heights is proposing amendments to its zoning code to allow veterinary clinics in business and office districts. The clinics would not allow outdoor kennels or long-term storage of animals outside, and any outdoor areas would only be for temporary animal relief while attended by staff. The Planning & Zoning Commission approved the amendments with recommendations to limit clinics to small animals and define outdoor attendance.

1. Case #385
Zoning Code Amendments
Veterinary Clinics
Presented By: Jason Lutz
Community Development Services Director
City Council Meeting
Agenda Item #3
December 12, 2016

2. SUMMARY
 The applicant, the City of Alamo
Heights, is proposing amendments to
the City’s adopted zoning code in order
to allow Veterinary Clinics to operate
within the Business and Office Districts
of the City.

3. SUMMARY
 These clinics would not allow outside
kennels or dog runs for animals to be
stored or kept for lengthy periods of
time, and would only allow animals in
outside areas for temporary relief.

4. 4
POLICY ANALYSIS
 Proposed additions to the Zoning Code are
Highlighted in Blue and deletions are
highlighted in Red.
 All proposed amendments are found in
Chapter 3 – Zoning, of the City’s Code of
Ordinances.
 Amendments will add a definition, permit in B
& O districts, and establish parking
requirements.

5. 5
AMENDMENT 1
ARTICLE I. - IN GENERAL
Sec. 3-2. - Definitions.
(A)
 Clinics: A facility for the medical treatment of
humans and animals, including doctors, dentists,
chiropractors, and small animal veterinarians.
 (“small animal”) was added based on P&Z
recommendation.

6. 6
AMENDMENT 1 - CONTINUED
Definition
 Veterinary clinics are not permitted to have outdoor
runs, and outdoor relief areas shall be for
temporary use only. Animals in relief areas must be
accompanied by staff at all times. Any kennel
associated with a veterinary clinic must be located
in an indoor sound proof building.
 “accompanied by staff at all times” added
based on P&Z recommendation

7. 7
AMENDMENT 2
ARTICLE II. - LAND USE
Sec. 3-8. - Use of land and buildings
Use Type: O-1 B-1 B-2 B-3
Clinic, medical or dental, or
doctors office
• • • •

8. 8
AMENDMENT 3 - CONTINUED
ARTICLE X. – SPECIAL REGULATIONS
Sec. 3-84. – SPECIAL PARKING REGULATIONS.
(1)(e)
 Offices, clinics, retail, and business uses: One (1)
space for each three hundred (300) square feet of
gross floor area in the building;

9. 9
PLANNING & ZONING RECOMMENDATIONS
 The Planning & Zoning Commission held a public
hearing on December 5th and approved the
amendments with the following recommendations:
1. That the definition for Vet Clinics includes
language which limits the clinics to small
animals such as dogs, cats, birds, reptiles
and prohibits large/agricultural animals like
horses, goats, cows, and pigs.

10. 10
PLANNING & ZONING RECOMMENDATIONS
2. That the definition also have stricter
language which more clearly defines
“while attended by staff”.

11. 11
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
 Appropriate notice was posted on the City
website and a legal notice was printed in
the official newspaper of the City of Alamo
Heights.
 Feedback received:
 Support: (0)
 Oppose: (0)
 Neutral: (0)

12. QUESTIONS?