Vet Seeks to Make Heights Home for New Clinic

A local veterinarian doctor seeks to renovate a location on the Boulevard – which has served as an auto repair center for decades - into a clinic for the medical treatment of small animals. 

Thursday night the Hasbrouck Heights Zoning Board of Adjustment continued its review of the site plan for the veterinarian facility which Dr. Mia Frezzo proposes at this site located between Division and Walter avenues.

Roger VeNiscia, the project’s planner, testified that the use of the site as a veterinarian facility is permissible in this zone where its current use as an auto center is actually not permitted. The site is also listed on the borough’s master plan as an area in need of revitalization.

He called the site’s current look “industrial” noting that the proposed renovated building would be more aligned with the commercial look of the business district and its neighbors – an office building on the south side and a dance studio on the north.

The veterinarian facility would operate six days a week – Monday through Saturday – treating small animals, mostly cats and dogs. The one-story building would be renovated and the parking area, which already exists on the site, would house 14 spots, including one handicapped space, according to VeNiscia.

Talks were centered on the services of the center would provide and how the facility overall could impact neighboring properties.

The center would have a boarding area restricted only to special needs patients who need to stay overnight for medical supervision. This would apply to animals which had surgery or need to be monitored such as a diabetic pet who needs insulin injections while its owners are away, Frezzo explained. It would be limited to no more than 10 dogs at a time.

“As a vet my main objective is to provide medical care of these pets. Having the ability to clean, groom and potentially board pets who have special needs is important to their owners,” explained Frezzo.

Two neighboring property owners aired concerns about barking dogs who will be at the center overnight and out on the proposed dog run out back as well as the disposal of animal waste.

Lucia Walters whose back deck and family room border the back of the proposed animal facility where the trash bin would be housed said she was not opposed to the business coming in but was concerned as to whether she will have to deal with the smell of dog poop wafting into her back yard.

Tom Kozoil, owner of the office building next door, shared the same concerns.

As a solution, Frezzo offered to not dispose of such waste in the outdoor trash bin and rather keep a special bin indoors for this purpose. 

As for noise level concerns, the proposed plans are said to include sound proof padding. The project’s architect is expected to address this at a special meeting set for July 25 to continue the hearing on the proposed plans.