Council adopts zoning text amendment to allow veterinary oncology centers (no overnight stays)

The Village Council of Royal Palm Beach unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 1052 on Dec. 19, adding a new use category—"veterinary oncology center, no overnight stays"—to the village zoning code (Chapter 26) for the Office Commercial (CO) district.

The application, filed by the Gunster law firm on behalf of an applicant identified in the staff report as West Palm Radiation Associates LLC, was presented on second reading. Staff and the local planning agency had recommended approval: the planning agency considered the application on Oct. 22, 2024 and recommended approval by a vote of 5 to 0; the council had approved first reading on Nov. 21, 2024 by a vote of 5 to 0. At the Dec. 19 hearing planning staff reviewed the proposed definition, supplemental regulations, and the proposed special-exception path for the Office Commercial zoning district, and recommended adoption.

John Roche of Gunster, representing the applicant, told the council there were no substantive changes since the first reading and thanked staff and council for their consideration.

With the ordinance adopted on second reading, the new use is codified in Chapter 26 and will be available through the special-exception process in the CO district, subject to the supplemental standards adopted by the ordinance. The council's vote was unanimous.