Commission Approves Veterinary Hospital on Keene St.
The Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit for a University of Missouri veterinary hospital at 200 N. Keene St.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Pet Health
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The Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit on Thursday for a University of Missouri veterinary hospital at 200 N. Keene St. The request was submitted by Brick Box Properties on behalf of the University of Missouri Board of Curators.
Why it matters
The approval clears a proposed animal-care facility to move forward on a site in East Columbia, where nearby residents were notified by postcard. City staff recommended approval, finding no significant adverse impacts on surrounding properties.
The site covers about 1.24 acres and includes a two-story, 13,000-square-foot building formerly housing the Thompson Center for Autism. The plan includes 67 parking spaces and two designated animal-relief areas, and the commission's vote was unanimous.
The players
University of Missouri Board of Curators
The governing body of the University of Missouri system, which is the entity on whose behalf the permit request was submitted.
Brick Box Properties
The firm that submitted the conditional use permit request for the proposed veterinary hospital.
The details
Outdoor animal structures must be fully enclosed, with staff present whenever animals are outside, and a secondary fence or wall would surround all animal structures and relief areas. Public notice was sent to nearby residents by postcard on Oct. 7, with additional property owner letters sent or published by Oct. 20.
Timeline
Oct. 7, 2026: Public notice postcards were sent to nearby residents.
Oct. 20, 2026: Additional property owner letters were sent or published.
Nov. 5, 2026: The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the conditional use permit.
Roadmap
The approval runs through Columbia's conditional use permit process, the mechanism the commission used to allow a veterinary hospital on the former Thompson Center for Autism site. It reflects how the city adapts existing institutional buildings to new uses when staff finds no significant adverse impacts on neighbors.
Nearby residents in East Columbia will see a new veterinary hospital with 67 parking spaces and fenced animal-relief areas if the site is developed. Staff must be present whenever animals are outside, which governs how the outdoor areas will be used.
The takeaway
Neighbors near 200 N. Keene St. should expect outdoor animal areas to be fully enclosed and staffed under the approved conditions. Residents interested in the project can review the permit terms at Columbia's planning office.
Further reading
For more on animal care options, see Pet Health coverage in Columbia.
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