It's hard to overemphasize the importance of selecting the best location for the construction of a new animal hospital. The most accomplished veterinarian practicing in a new state-of-the-art facility will risk insecure times or even professional and financial failure in the wrong location. While important, site selection and design isn't a mysterious science. Common sense decisions combined with pertinent information will lead to the selection of the correct building site.

Investigate as many potential building sites as possible within your target area. This analysis can be conducted on your own or by a firm specialising in professional market analysis. Don't just consider market demographics. Existing and potential growth patterns, traffic patterns, zoning restrictions and local codes and ordinances should all be researched.

Analyse each proposed site's physical characteristics. Pay particular attention to site drainage, soil type and bearing capability, environmental or ecological problems, and of course the area of the site. The usable area (are remaining form total site area) must accommodate the size of the building, the parking area required, any landscape are required, and expansion room for future growth. Unfavourable site topography and availability of utility services can drastically affect a site's potential. Both factors can often be overcome but add greatly to building costs.

Obtain a current survey of the selected site indicating the location of all property lines, building setback lines, existing structures, utility locations, large trees, easements and other encroachments prior to purchase. Ensure that the property does not lie in ay designated flood or plain or wetland area.

Look at each site from your client's point of view. Ensure the new site is conveniently located for target clients. Ask how the selected site ranks when critiqued as follows:

• Distance to target households (time as well as mileage)?
• Is the site located on a likely route for your clients?
• Is the site near complementary or magnet businesses?
• Is the site on a major street?
• Is the site just off a major street at a light?
• Can the site be easily located by first time clients?
• Can you easily give clear directions to the site?

Once the decision to purchase a specific site has been made, enlist your attorney and realtor's assistance. A proper title search is a must. Zoning assurance should be obtained in writing from city planning authorities prior to site purchase.

Site Design

Prepare a scale drawing of the site. Graphically indicate city codes, ordinances, setbacks etc. Locate the proposed building on the site using setbacks and allowable building height (building envelope). Study and refine site traffic and parking as follows:

• Client and Animal
• Staff
• Doctor
• Service and Delivery
• Fire and Emergency

Egress from public roads or streets must be safe and inviting. Access drives must meet city or state highway requirements. The design and placement of the building sign should be guided by the ability of drivers, in traffic, to easily find and read sign information (block letters seem to work best). Local veterinary association regulations and city ordinances often dictate sign design parameters.

Design parking and drives including spaces for handicapped clients.

The following chart was developed to estimate the minimum number of parking spaces required for an animal hospital. These numbers will normally meet or slightly exceed the minimum number of spaces required by local codes. These code requirements should be verified.

When planning your building, site and landscaping, think of the outdoor areas of your facility as another room. Design the site with regard to traffic flow, necessary or desired features and amenities and appearance. Do not let the design of your building's exterior features be an afterthought.

The following items should be considered when desiring your site:

• All parking and drive areas should be adequately lighted with particular attention paid to client safety and convenience.
• The building entry should be easily located from all parking areas.
• A marked pet urination area for pets entering hospital is a helpful convenience for clients.
• Service and delivery requirements, trash pick-up and dumpster location are site design features that require special consideration and placement.
• Utility services to the building, meter locations and requirements should be located by design.
• Landscape requirements are important aesthetically.  The size of landscape areas, fences, the type and number of plants are often controlled by city ordinances.
• Don't forget to design for growth. Plan your site with expansion room for future growth of hospital and parking on site.
• Exterior building lighting requirements.
• Sign Design (Veterinary Association Regulations and City Ordinances)

The importance of selecting the best location for the construction of a new animal hospital is critical. While important, site selection and design isn't a mysterious science. Common sense decisions combined with pertinent information will lead to the selection of the correct building site.

Source: Daniel D Chapel Annual Hospital Design Conference 2009