Planned Burr Ridge Vet Clinic Divides Village Center Neighbors

BURR RIDGE, IL — A proposed veterinary clinic in the Village Center drew opposition from some neighbors Monday. But others said it was important for the center's owner to keep the mixed-use development vibrant.

Village documents indicated that the owner, Ramzi Hassan, was seeking a veterinarian clinic as a permitted use in the buildings at 801 and 850 Village Center Drive. But he told board members that the plan was for veterinarian Allison Joe's clinic to be at 801.

Still, a number of residents from 850 came forward to express concerns about a vet clinic on the ground floor of any of the buildings.

No one from 801 showed up at the meeting, but officials said the building association's president told them he supported a clinic in that building.

David Atkinson, president of the 850 building condo association, said a vet clinic would impair residential property values because of the smell and noise from the dogs. He also said the dogs would relieve themselves near the building.

He said supporters of the clinic have stated most of the condo owners have dogs themselves. But he said in his building, just six of the 60 homeowners have dogs. Association rules say dogs must be less than 20 pounds.

"If a veterinary clinic is allowed to operate beneath the residential properties, there will be no means to control the size of the dogs that will be frequently entering and exiting the building," he said.

He said his comments applied to any of the Village Center condo buildings where a vet clinic could go.

Other neighbors had different views.

"If we don't support this, the Village Cener is going to be a white elephant eventually," one woman said.

Owner Hassan said most Americans have dogs or other pets in their homes, so a vet clinic would make the Village Center more attractive to prospective residents. He also said issues such as smell and noise could be mitigated easily.

Trustee Tony Schiappa was among those expressing support for the vet clinic, noting that nearly 70 percent of American homes have animals. The clinic, he said, "will help build a center with other uses. It will help it become a prosperous center."

The Village Board voted 5-1 to permit the clinic, with Trustee Zach Mottl dissenting.

As part of its approval, the board required village staff and Village Center representatives to give a progress report on the vet clinic in six months to see whether any issues exist.

The board also approved other Village Center changes that proved far less controversial, including a dermatology clinic in the building at 1000 Village Center Drive.