DALTON, Mass. — The Dalton Redevelopment Authority is looking at revamping zoning to make it easier for a veterinarian to open an office. 

 

This was prompted by resident Kevin Herkelman, an animal nutritionist who worked with veterinarians before retiring and moving to the area about a year ago.

 

He and his wife have many animals and found that area vet offices weren't accepting new patients or were booked out for a long time.

 

"When we moved here, we were looking for a vet. We have five dogs and a cat. I used to show dogs and things like that. When we tried to find a vet, we had a hard time even finding people taking new clients. So we ended up going over to Northampton. That's where we still are," he told a recent meeting of the authority.

 

He said it's more difficult to have to travel far, and even if residents have a veterinarian, it's likely in Pittsfield so they have to leave town. 

 

Currently a veterinary office is only allowed in a B1, R1, or I1 zone and must be 100 feet from a boundary.

 

Herkelman and Chair John Boyle have been looking for a suitable location to entice a vet to come to the area but zoning has been an issue as it is very restrictive. 

 

The need is not just local, said Herkelman, because animal doctors around the country vets are sparse, which is why he is hoping to have a suitable place ready where a new vet would not have to fight with zoning and bylaws.

 

Boyle and Herkelman have looked through 10 to 15 places. Most have been in a zone that does not comply with the bylaws for a veterinarian office. They have considered speaking to the Zoning Board about changing the zoning.

 

"The business community is being stifled. Plenty of businesses in this town are located on residential property," Boyle said.

 

The old railroad depot at 450 Housatonic St., Ashuelot Park at 401 South St., and a former L.P. Adams building at 484 West Housatonic St. were brought up as potential spaces.

 

Herkelman is only exploring the idea and is not yet reaching out to any veterinarians.

 

In other business, the board will also look to appoint Herkelman to the Redevelopment Authority because member Samuel Pascual is not returning to the board.