Limerick Township supervisors approved plans Tuesday for a new veterinary office at 442 North Lewis Road, clearing the way for a local practice to replace a vacant florist and other aging structures on the 1.79-acre site.
The board granted conditional use approval for the project, which is being pursued by 442 N Lewis Road LLC on behalf of Main Street Vet, owned by Limerick residents Kim and Frank DiMaio. The practice operates existing locations in Souderton and Perkiomenville.
What Is Planned
The applicant proposes a 5,200-square-foot, two-story veterinary office with 38 parking spaces. Existing buildings on the property, including a former florist, a residential dwelling, and a barn-garage, would be demolished. The rear of the property would remain wooded.
Attorney Julie Bernstein of Kaplin Stewart, representing the applicant, said the office would provide general wellness care, diagnostic services, and minor outpatient surgery. It would not include a kennel, boarding, overnight emergency care, or on-site cremation.
Kim DiMaio, the practice's head veterinarian, told the board the office would treat dogs and cats as well as small exotic animals such as guinea pigs, snakes, and bearded dragons. The location would be staffed by two veterinarians and eight employees, with typical weekday business hours.
Access and Traffic
The property sits on the east side of North Lewis Road, south of the Scoupe deVille Ice Cream Parlor and across from Chesterbrook Academy Preschool. The shared driveway connection with the Scoupe deVille property is expected to remain as part of the new development. The site is served by public water and sewer.
A traffic study estimated the development would generate about 19 trips during the morning peak hour and 18 during the afternoon peak hour. The township's traffic engineer recommended one entrance from North Lewis Road along with an ADA-compliant pedestrian crossing, Bernstein said.
Because North Lewis Road is a state road, the applicant must obtain a highway occupancy permit from PennDOT, which may impose additional requirements. Bernstein asked that any driveway access restrictions be deferred until the land development and PennDOT review phases.
Board Response
Supervisor Patrick Morroney raised questions about the driveway turning radius and access for fire emergency vehicles. Solicitor Rebecca Geiser said those items would be addressed during land development.
Supervisor Kara Shuler thanked the owners for choosing Limerick for their expansion, and Supervisor Linda Irwin said she believed the plan would be “well received” in the township.
The approval requires the applicant to comply with all applicable laws and with the exhibits and testimony presented at Tuesday's hearing. The project must still proceed through land development review.
