New Veterinary Hospital Proposed In Greenwich: P&Z Docs

GREENWICH, CT — Those with four-legged furry friends could have another option in Greenwich when it comes to veterinary care.

Nightingale Veterinary Partners, a New York City-based group, is looking to open up a veterinary hospital in Greenwich at 100 Putnam Green, also known as 5 Western Junior Highway, according to documents submitted to the town's Planning & Zoning Department.

A change of use is being sought for the 14,500-square-foot office building at the site, which is owned by Maria USA Inc.

The building owner submitted a written authorization on behalf of Nightingale Veterinary Partners, the prospective tenant, to submit a pre-application to the Planning & Zoning Commission.

The pre-application process generally allows for a non-binding discussion with the commission about the pros and cons of a proposal.

The building has gone through a number of ownership changes throughout the years, said attorney for the applicant, John P. Tesei, in submitted documents, but it has primarily been used as an office building.

Maria USA Inc., purchased the building in 2018 and had it administratively approved as a fertility clinic, Tesei said, but the clinic is not in operation at the moment and the entire building is marketed for lease.

"Nightingale Veterinary Partners proposes to use the building as a veterinary hospital facility performing specialized veterinary services for companion animals (dogs and cats mainly) only," Tesei wrote in submitted documents. "Unlike traditional veterinary clinics, the facility will not offer boarding or kennel services inside or outside. Instead it is focused exclusively on consultations, specialized surgical intervention and high-end post-operative care."

Tesei said patients admitted for surgical procedures recover at the hospital, and most are discharged either the same day or the following day. For animals who need overnight care, a medical team is on site in the recovery room to monitor pain management and the recovery process, Tesei added.

"We believe that the proposed activity of our client confined to being within the building only will not be more detrimental to the neighborhood than the existing use and indeed will be an overall benefit to the neighborhood by providing the pet care as described above limited essentially to only the business day," Tesei said.

There would be four doctors on staff who would alternate between consultation and procedure days, Tesei said. No more than 20 employees are expected to work in the facility at any one time during any given day.

Submitted documents note 36 parking spaces at the site, plus two ADA spaces.

Operating hours would be from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointment hours would run from 9 a.. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The facility will not have any operating or appointment hours during weekends and nationally recognized holidays.

According to the company's LinkedIn profile, Nightingale Veterinary Partners was founded in 2017.

"With a focus on team happiness and an eye for innovation, we're transforming the traditional vet practice into a happier, healthier place," Nightingale says on its website.

The application has not yet been scheduled to go before the Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission.