Vet won’t expand in SV

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SPRING VALLEY — It was only five months ago when Spring Valley Mayor Cliff Banks, the aldermen and the city’s planning commission faced down a crowd of angry Webster Park residents and told them no.

Dr. Stephen Dullard wanted to rezone a lot at 101 Oak St. from residential to commercial to expand his business, the Ancare Veterinary Clinic. Dullard said the new building would include more exam rooms, more room for advanced procedures and physical therapy, and a larger lobby. The plan also included more parking spaces.

Area residents protested, citing problems with his moving into a residential area, property values, traffic, smells and trash.

Despite the wishes of the residents, the planning commission and then the council approved Dullard’s request. Now, Banks would like to reverse that decision.

At Monday’s city council meeting, Banks said he had been hearing rumors that Dullard was going to leave Spring Valley instead of expanding his business.

So Banks talked to Dullard to find out the facts.

“I went out and asked him today what was his plan, and what was going on. And he said he’s planning on leaving,” Banks said.

Banks said he tried to change Dullard’s mind.

“I asked him today if he would come back and talk to the committee again and see if they would agree to let him have access on Oak Street and leave the dumpster where he wants to, and he said no, it was a done deal,” Banks said.

Banks said Dullard told him he was moving his business to LaSalle but would keep his current facility for some other kind of business and continue to rent out the house at 101 Oak St.

Banks was upset with the decision.

“I fought hard to keep him here,” he said. “I felt I should have been told first.”

Banks said Dullard told them he would work with the city and the residents to make the project happen.

“He blind-sided me by just wanting to leave,” he said.

Banks said his goal is to have the property rezoned residential.

“He came in here with his plans, and we agreed on his plan. So now that he’s fallen through, I want that land back to residential,” Banks said. “I don’t know if that can be done or not, but I’m going to do everything I can.”

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Dullard’s response

Stephen Dullard issued the following statement:

I do not understand the controversy regarding my decision to not build at my current location in Spring Valley.

After the last zoning meeting, my building representatives met with the planning committee. The committee decided that no alternate exit would be allowed from the facility except Highway 6. This was never agreed to but suggested at the zoning meeting. All previous plans had an exit on to Oak Street. Safety has always been a big concern of mine for my clients. I have witnessed two accidents and had several others occur in the 10 years I have been in Spring Valley. One occurred during the rezoning. In addition, by not allowing an exit, delivery trucks would have to continue to park on Oak Street as they are currently required to do — again, a very hazardous situation, since the corner is blind until people make the turn. My representatives were told by one alderman that he would be in favor of opening an exit if “it ever got bad enough.” When asked what “bad enough” meant, he said if there proved to be an increase in accidents or something really bad. We pointed out that would be a little late. Another alderman said, “If traffic is such an issue at this location, and so unsafe, maybe this isn’t the right spot for a clinic.

“Another of the original reasons for the proposed project was to increase available parking. As we worked to accommodate the concerns, I continued to lose parking spots. It became evident to me that the amount of parking was going to be insufficient for my clinic needs.

“Finally, we were directed that the garbage bins must be placed next to the entrance of the clinic. Despite almost 40 years of business in Spring Valley without a single complaint regarding our trash disposal, I was being asked to place my garbage bins out front. I doubt if many businesses would find that acceptable.

“After these discussions, I re-evaluated my options and made my decision. I have absolutely no problem with the house I own reverting back to residential zoning. I think that would only be proper since the project is not going forward.

“My intentions have always been for the good of the community. I plan on continuing to use the facility, so there will be no impact on the tax base of Spring Valley. I wish to thank all the citizens that have supported me throughout this time. I simply had to make a business decision that would be best for my clients and their pets, my employees and my family.”