Proposed veterinary hospital clears hurdle in Georgetown

GEORGETOWN — Support for a 24/7 emergency animal care hospital were exhibited during a hearing in late June and rewarded with a conditional use amendment approval by Town Council on Monday.

Veterinarian Dr. Daphne Clendaniel, currently working with a hospital in Pennsylvania, hopes to start her own practice in the Georgetown Professional Center, a project planned on Old Laurel Road, near the Sussex County Administrative Office West Complex Building.

Monday’s vote was 5-0 to approve the requested Phase 3 conditional use amendment. The location’s original plan was approved June 13, 2022.

The application, sought by SPG Development, is to utilize one of three offices, approximately 6,000 square feet, in the professional center. The property is zoned multifamily residential.

Four more letters of support were included in the request, and Mayor Bill West said, “We look forward to seeing things go up out there.”

Per town stipulations, hours for the veterinary hospital will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., plus 24/7 emergency availability with appropriate staffing.

At the June 24 public hearing, Shelby Tomlinson of SPG Development said this would be the only emergency and surgery animal hospital between New Castle County and Salisbury, Maryland.

She added that, once Dr. Clendaniel’s practice takes root, she plans on hiring a few more staff members who have the same accreditations.