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Veterinarian wins approval for hospital on
Route 33
BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR.
Staff
Writer
HOWELL - With approval from the Planning
Board, a spot on Route 33 will soon go to the dogs, and cats,
and other small animals in need of medical attention.
On May 25, the board unanimously approved an
application for a two-story veterinary hospital to be
constructed on the eastbound side of Route 33 near Colts Neck
Road, and on the site of the former Roehrs Nursery.
Information was presented which indicated that
the owners of the Roehrs Nursery sold part of the parcel to
the applicant for a veterinary hospital and will sell another
parcel to the MG Group, which is currently developing a
residential community on the site.
Project engineer David Soltysik said the
two-story hospital will fit in with the rural landscape of the
community and surrounding area. The building will look like a
barn, with a coat of red paint and white windows.
According to Soltysik, temporary access from
Route 33 should ultimately give way to access from a future
road in conjunction with the proposed residential
development.
Dr. Meredith Sharin will operate the facility
and practice as the only doctor for the time being. She said
the building was designed by a firm in Albuquerque, N.M., that
specializes in veterinary hospitals.
In the hospital, Sharin will treat small
animals or "pocket pets."
Sharin currently works in Stafford Township
and has practiced as a veterinarian for almost eight years.
She said she is ready to open her own practice.
"This is my hospital," she said. "I plan on
operating here for 30 to 35 years. We will make this as
home-like as possible. The cats are far away from the
dogs."
Sharin addressed concerns raised by board
members regarding the possible residential development that
will boarder the animal hospital.
Planning Board engineer Ernie Peters presented
a hypothetical situation and asked Sharin to address it. He
said the code enforcement office could eventually get calls
from residents complaining about dogs barking.
Board member Curtis Vislocky shared similar
concerns.
"With the curiosity of children in a proposed
development, we want to deter any rambunctious youngsters,"
Vislocky said.
Sharin said the residential development will
not be adversely impacted and said there will be no danger to
future residents or their children.
"We want a nice, quiet hospital," the
veterinarian said. "I am well aware of the regular view of
veterinary hospitals. Here, there will be no odors, no
noise."
Furthermore, Sharin said the hospital will be
completely enclosed and although certain animals with health
concerns may be boarded if an owner is on vacation or is not
available to administer medication at home, the veterinarian
said the hospital is not a kennel. She said the boarding
spaces are quite limited and are not the purpose of the
hospital.
Peters asked the applicant to add some extra
landscaping near the proposed parking lot.
"Someone is going to see a lot of asphalt on
their way home," he said, adding, "though I don't doubt the
building is going to be beautiful."
After the applicant agreed with the request
for the additional landscaping, the board approved the
application by a vote of 6-0.
Vislocky praised the application, saying, "I
wish more developers would do things like this." He
complimented the applicant for the design and overall appeal
of the plan.
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