Veterinarian hopes to open 24-hour surgical center

By Jim Cook

Published: May 21, 2008

A neighbor is worried somebody might let the dogs out.

And those dogs might just run next door to a local prosthesis business that serves geriatric and disabled patients and, well, somebody could get hurt.

But veterinarian Robert Martin won out over neighbor’s objections Wednesday, receiving the Dothan Planning Commission’s blessing in a 6-2-1 vote in favor of recommending the rezoning of the former PrimeCare facility at 301 Westgate Parkway.

Dothan city commissioners must approve the rezoning request, from B-4 to B-3, and the issue will probably come before the commission in late June.

Martin, a Headland native and a professor at Virginia Tech, wants to open a 24-hour small animal surgical practice.

“I propose to develop a multi-speciality practice at the PrimeCare location that would likely include a small animal internist, ophthalmologist and dermatologist,”

Martin wrote in a statement submitted to planning staff. “The specialty practice would be referral only.”

But some preferred to see a medical facility that treats humans go in at PrimeCare, to help maintain the area as a medical strip and further entice business.

“We are across the parking lot,” said Pary Sumlar of Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics. “We would like for it to stay human only, just for the continuity. Patients could come to one area, and it could increase business.”
Sumlar worries that dogs not leashed as they are taken to the facility might run next door and possibly injure a patient getting in or out of a car. A chiropractic clinic is located on the other side of PrimeCare.

Dothan planning staff did not favor rezoning.

“Our concern here is B-3 encroachment in this area at this time,” Planning Director Todd McDonald said. “We have kept those kinds of uses in our major nodes at intersections. This is close to a park and in a residential area. We recommend denial just for that reason.”
B-3 also allows gas stations, dry cleaners, fast-food restaurants, among other uses, which caused some concern. “We can’t make the rezoning contingent on the building being used just for an animal clinic,” Chairman Chuck Harris said. “It is wide open for other uses that may come in there.”
Real estate agent James Grants pointed out that nearby Big Lots is in a B-3 area and there is a dry cleaner in the area, as well as a convenience store. Also just down the road is Bed & Biscuit, a kennel.

Grant also disputed Westgate not being a major highway. “It is consistent with a major thoroughfare.”
Both Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce President Matt Parker and Dothan veterinarian Bryan Bain said the area needs a 24-hour clinic.

“This provides a service in our market that is desperately needed,” Parker said.
Bain said the veterinarian community will support Martin’s practice. “Dr. Martin has proved himself in surgical expertise. He could go to a lot of places but he has chosen to come back to Dothan. We should give some serious consideration to making this happen.”

Opposing the rezoning were Planning Commissioners Joe Culver and Harris. Commissioner Gary Martin, distantly related to the applicant, abstained from voting.

According to county tax records, the PrimeCare property is valued at $1.12 million. The building was vacated last fall after PrimeCare relocated to West Main Street.