Jacksonville residents may soon be able to take their dog to the vet, go to a park and have a drink all at once in Springfield.
The Jacksonville Planning Commission voted Nov. 6 to recommend approval of a rezoning request for Springfield Animal Hospital LLC, to build a veterinary office with an integrated dog park and bar at 1636 N. Main St. The commission voted 6-0, with Commissioner Michael McGowan absent, in favor of Ordinance 2025-0674, which contains the rezoning.
Springfield Animal Hospital’s request asked for a rezoning from Commercial Community/General-Springfield (CCG-S) and a Planned Unit Development granted in 2016 to a new PUD.
The current PUD governing a portion of the site, PUD 2016-0476-E, was granted for the Main & Six Brewing Co., a brewery and taproom that closed in 2022. The proposed PUD, if approved by the Jacksonville City Council, would permit a variety of commercial uses consistent with the CCG-S zoning district and waive distancing requirements.
City ordinance requires a waiver to allow on-premise consumption of alcohol for establishments within certain distances of churches, schools and other locations with a liquor license.
A PUD is a special zoning district that allows for a mix of residential, commercial and industrial uses within a single district.
During the Planning Commission hearing, attorney Michael Sittner compared the business’ plan to the BrewHound Dog Park + Bar in Neptune Beach. Sittner, representing property owner Normandy Stratton LLC, also said the development planned to convert part of a parking lot to the dog park and use another section for parking.
“As someone who lives two blocks away, has three dogs and enjoys a drink every now and then, I’m looking forward to this very much,” Planning Commission Chair Charles Garrison said.
The property, which falls within the Springfield Zoning Overlay and Springfield Historic District, is a 3,060-square-foot building constructed in 1959, according to the Planning Department staff report. It received its certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Section in August.
Springfield Animal Hospital is also receiving consideration by Jacksonville City Council for a $50,000 grant to fund improvements to existing infrastructure to build the dog park.
The grant passed through the Finance and Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety committees with unanimous approval. The full Council is expected to vote on the grant on Nov. 12.
With the Planning Commission’s vote on the rezoning, the ordinance advances to the Council Land Use and Zoning Committee.