Vet wants to open office on Old Mill Road

A Lewes vet who wants to work from her home has filed a conditional-use application with Sussex County. Christina Abramowicz, owner of Veterinary Alternative Care LLC, currently provides holistic care to dogs, cats, horses and some exotic animals off site, but she would also like to work at her home.

“The business would be similar to a massage therapist working at home,” she said during a Nov. 13 planning and zoning commission public hearing.

Abramowicz said she has no plans to hire staff, build kennels or board animals over night. She refers calls for emergency services to other facilities because she does not perform surgery. She uses herbal supplements, acupuncture, massage therapy and food therapy to treat animals.

“This would be an important stepping stone for my business,” she said.

After listening to her presentation, commission members asked why she didn't apply for a home occupation permit, which can be issued by Lawrence Lank, planning and zoning director.

“This is a unique application,” said Commissioner Marty Ross. “As long as there is no boarding and no surgery, in my opinion, this is a home occupation. I'm not keen on granting conditional uses in this subdivision because it opens the door for others.”

“This is by far the most interesting application we have had in a long time,” said Commission Chairman Bob Wheatley.

Lank said the county has never granted a home occupation to a veterinarian. He said he needed more details about her proposed operation. After the hearing, commissioners deferred on a decision. County council will hear the application at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2.

A handful of residents spoke in opposition to the application. George Dellinger, representing four homeowners' associations, said a veterinarian's office does not fit into the character of the residential communities along Old Mill Road.

He said residents are concerned about the outside storage of animals and animals getting loose. “Are you aware in her testimony she said that she would not store animals?” Wheatley asked.

“There is a difference in what we see and what we hear – that's the problem,” Dellinger replied.

He said residents are also concerned that the practice could expand and develop into a full-service veterinarian's office.

Dellinger also said a veterinarian's office could create a health hazard to the surrounding area. “This is inappropriate for AR-1 zoning and we recommend that she find a facility elsewhere,” he said.

Abramowicz said that available office space does not fit into her budget.

Old Mill Road is the location of another application being considered by Sussex officials. A developer has filed a conditional-use application to construct a self-storage facility near the Old Mill Road-Route 1 intersection.