The small town of Knoxville is gaining a new business. Knoxville City Council last night unanimously approved provisional zoning changes that would allow an East Main Street building to operate as a veterinary clinic.
With Council’s approval, Suzanne Harshbarger says she plans to open Knoxville Veterinary Service by the end of April.
The Pennsylvania-native tells WGIL she has always wanted her own veterinary practice.
“I left my previous job in January and decided it’s kinda pushed me to move in that direction,” Harshbarger says. “I’m ready to go; I’m ready to start.”
She had previously worked in Peoria County and has worked in the veterinary field since graduating Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2003.
Harshbarger says she plans to treat small animals on location and large animals off the property, in accordance with the zoning change provision.
The business will be going into Knoxville businessman Keith Vaughn’s property at 222 E. Main St.
Knoxville Veterinary Service will be in the eastern portion of the building; the west half is awaiting another business.
At last night’s meeting, council approved rezoning the property from a Small & Medium Business classification to Commercial-Industrial-Manufacturing, but with the provision that only small animals be treated in the building and that the city will later amend the zoning ordinance to better accommodate the clinic.
Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Maurer said the provision will allow the Knoxville Veterinary Clinic to “get their business up and running” faster.
