03/13/2026
2025 Sep - Five of seven council members vote in favor of permitting veterinary medical facilities without boarding as a contingent use in the Chillicothe Downtown Enterprise District! City Inspector Brandon walks through our future home and is equally optimistic that we have hit the "adaptive reuse" jackpot! We'll have to expand the size of the restroom but otherwise, as it has always been a doctor's office and will continue to be a doctor's office, we should be good!
2025 Aug - We're feeling optimistic about the city and most residents wanting access to a modern veterinary medical facility in downtown Chillicothe. We sign with FMD Architects Inc., an architect firm who specializes in veterinary medical facilities, to rethink the space and help us make a place that reduces stress for pets and their people, is easy for nurses, staff, and doctors to navigate, and contains noises in the most effective way so our neighbors continue to have a good nights' sleep.
2024 Oct/Nov - The adventure begins! We submit our first application requesting to rezone 36 N Walnut St as Contingent Use for a Veterinary Medical office.
2024 Sep - We sign a contract to purchase our future home away from home on N Walnut, contingent on zoning approval, of course. After 2011, veterinary medical services were changed from permitted use to non-permitted use so we knew we'd have to do a little groveling but we also believed that we have something huge to offer Chillicothe residents!
2024 Jul - Father in law notices sign on a single-story building on Walnut and brings it to our attention. We've been casually looking for a few years but other life things were the priority. Unfortunately we learn that the building he was looking at is land-contract and it has an interested buyer. However, we're told, we should consider looking at the building next door. This building, 36 N Walnut St, checks more boxes than I'd have imagined possible in a downtown area: Cinderblock construction (great for noise abatement), was constructed as a medical facility with potential for use as a triage facility (built-in features one would normally only find at your referral veterinary practices), AND it includes 11 parking spaces (in downtown!!)!
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SPECIAL THANKS SECTION: Andy, Ed, and Bernice Waltz - a girl couldn't ask for a better fan club! Stephanie Chester - organized, informed, and patient, thank you! City Council - Wow, I had no idea how very much time and dedication goes into what you do, thank you! Marsha Wagner - You showed up and I can't thank you enough! So excited to be your neighbor! Dr. Schoonmaker - thanks for your patience, for sharing your knowledge, for your support of me and for my endeavor. Deb Barrington & Betsy - thanks for your friendship and your advice. Lexi, Lorrie, Lisa, Carmen, Tammy, Kindle, Bethany, Heather, Benjamin, Tania, Meredith, Andy, and the individuals whose name I never figured out or missed - thanks for showing up to the meetings, writing letters, for your support!
