A Cherry Hill veterinarian plans to open a vet clinic in space formerly occupied by the Options for Women pregnancy care center at 13 West Ormond Avenue.
A Cherry Hill veterinarian will go before the Cherry Hill zoning board next Thursday to seek approval for a veterinary clinic in a former pregnancy care center near the Windsor Park neighborhood.
Dr. Shammi Dhawan, who lives on Saddlehorn Drive, purchased the property in May at 13 West Ormond Avenue from the Pregnancy Care Center, which was doing business as Options for Women. The business, providing abortion, adoption and parenting services, now operates as Options for Her on Route 70 in Cherry Hill.
A veterinary clinic is not a specified use in the limited office zone, so Dhawan and co-applicant Dee & Dee Real Estate LLC need a use variance. The real estate company has the same address as the veterinarian.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment meets December 7 with a caucus at 7 p.m. followed by the public meeting at 7:30. Details of the veterinary clinic application are on the Township website.
"We shall offer full range of veterinary services including medicine, surgery and dentistry," the veterinarian stated in the application.
However, the clinic will not offer boarding or kennel services.
In its review letter, the Township Community Development Department wants it made clear no animals will stay at the site. "The applicant shall also confirm that no boarding/kenneling of animals will take place at the proposed facility without obtaining further approvals from the zoning board," according to the letter.
"The key to clinic's success is its visibility in the community," the applicant stated in its operating report, part of the application. "The location is crucial. Our urgent care center shall be in a well-travelled road (Ormond Avenue and Kings Highway) and local within community."
Dhawan, who will manage the practice daily, said the "walk-in" feature of the animal clinic also will lead to its success.
The office building was built about 49 years ago and was sold on May 12 to the veterinarian for $275,000, according to application documents. The vet practice estimates its total start-up costs beyond the cost of the property will total $700,000.Â
In the application, Dhawan provided a copy of a 2017 parking agreement between the former owner and Regent Court Apartments. In its review letter, the Township asked for more specific detail on parking to be shared at the meeting next week.
The yellow border highlights the two lots that will contain a new veterinary clinic.
