Tracy Nyberg, veterinarian, Bayshore Veterinary Hospital

MARQUETTE — The Marquette Planning Commission recently approved a site plan for a new veterinary clinic along Lakeshore Boulevard during a public hearing held virtually through Zoom video conferencing.

Planning Commissioner Michael Larson made the motion to approve the site plan as it meets the land development code with the condition “that an approval of the amended plan is submitted to meet staff comments,” he said.

Planning Commissioner Aaron Andres seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved 8-0 in a roll-call vote at the planning commission’s May 19 meeting.

The proposed site plan is for the construction of a two-story veterinary clinic building, parking lot, grading and site improvements at 933 Lakeshore Blvd.

The applicant, Tracy Nyberg, a veterinarian at Bayshore Veterinary Hospital, said it’s been a dream to find a location that fits Marquette.

“We’ve been working very hard on making a building and construction that will fit the neighborhood, be part of the community (and it) almost look(s) like a house more than a business and be able to welcome owners and their pets,” Nyberg said. “It would be a small animal-only practice, no boarding (and a) 9-to-5 business that we’re wanting to operate there.”

The proposed site requires 11 parking spaces under the land development code’s formula for calculating required parking spaces, and the business is providing 14 spaces, city documents state.

“I think this is a great example, and we can point to this when we talk about mixed-used development and how to integrate commercial uses into residential areas,” Planning Commissioner Sarah Mittlefehldt said.

Medical waste from the facility will be picked up by a hazardous waste disposal service. Cremation will not take place at the veterinary clinic, she noted.

Animal patients will be brought outside for bathroom use in a green space, the waste will be picked up immediately and the animals will be returned back inside to limit the amount of noise in the area, Nyberg said.

If all goes as planned, the veterinary clinic, dubbed Fresh Coast Veterinary Care, plans to open mid to late October, she added.

Jackie Jahfetson can be reached at jjahfetson@miningjournal.net.