Cobb Allows Veterinary Clinic to Build New Location

MARIETTA — This week, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners approved a proposed veterinary clinic on North Cobb Parkway.

Mills Veterinary Property is requesting to rezone a 3.21-acre property to construct a new 5,481-square-foot facility to be used as a veterinary clinic at 4983 North Cobb Parkway, south of Rutledge Drive.

Applicant and veterinarian Michelle Mills also owns Mills Animal Hospital at 4514 Cobb Parkway, about one mile from the proposed location.

During the Oct. 1 Planning Commission hearing, Mills said the animal hospital has been operating at that location for about eight years. With the new location, she said the business would be able to expand from the current 2,400-square-foot facility, which is at maximum capacity.

The current location has five veterinarians, including Mills, and about 25 additional employees.

In a July rezoning impact analysis letter, the applicant said the proposed clinic “will provide an exceptional benefit to the local and nearby residents that rely on much needed healthcare for their pets.”

The single-story clinic will be a composite blend of brick, stone and cement siding.

Historically, the property has been used as a single-family residence and includes a home built in 1920. Currently uninhabited, the home will be used as on-site storage for the clinic, according to the applicant's July summary of intent.

One of the stipulations for approval is that the accessory structure cannot be used for anything other than storage.

The applicant agreed that there would be no additional structures beyond the proposed building and all wooded areas currently in existence will remain substantially natural.

The clinic will be open to the public Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The business can have 55 kennels in total, with a maximum of 40 kennels to be used overnight. No outdoor kennels will be allowed.

Earlier this month, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the proposal to the board.

On Tuesday, the board voted 5-0 to approve the veterinary clinic, under the conditions that all comments, recommendations and stipulations were met.