Idea for Animal Clinic in Highland Park Turned Down

HIGHLAND PARK, IL - An animal clinic likely won’t operate out of the residentially-zoned space at 1550 Park Avenue West in Highland Park after the city’s Plan and Design Commission voted not to recommend approval of the project.

Commissioners lauded the passion and professionalism of Mary Hannah, but could not agree that the business would be “less intense” than the Brow Art 23 offices that once operated at the location, according to the Highland Park News.

A city law states that a commercial entity could replace another already established in a residential zone, but only if the replacing business is less intense than the former.

The News described “a litany of objections from neighbors” about the proposed animal clinic that included concerns about parking, unsanitary animal waste, radiation, break-ins by drug addicts looking for controlled substances and general commotion.

Hannah, of Deerfield, wanted to use the space as a clinic for both dogs and cats.

Commissioner Adam Stolberg, while voting against this possibility, expressed his desire that the clinic will eventually come to Highland Park.

Just in another location.

"I would hope you would not let this discourage you from opening another site in Highland Park," Stolberg said. "There is no question the operation you would run would be first rate."

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