The controversy over neighborhood opposition to a veterinary hospital planned to care for large and small animals may come down to a conflict between a city ordinance and the zoning code.

Dr. Charles Freeman, owner of Western Prairie Veterinary Hospital, says he plans to open his East Tamarack location tending to small animals, but eventually wants to also treat livestock within enclosed areas on the site.

Nine nearby Quail Run residents issued a formal letter to Mayor T.L. Gramling stating their objections to the presence of livestock and an overflow crowd appeared at Tuesday night's city council meeting to protest.

Section 5-5 of the Altus Code states that "no livestock shall be kept within the city limits except: temporarily in a stockyard awaiting transportation at a slaughter house awaiting slaughter, for show purposes or for treatment under the care of a licensed veterinarian."

It is on this basis that Freeman said he received word from the city that his property, zoned C-3 Community Commercial, could be used as a clinic to treat livestock. Among the permitted uses in the C-3 zoning code is "hospital for small animals." City attorney Catherine Coke says that it is her understanding that if the code specifies "small animals" it would exclude large animals, and the zoning code trumps the city ordinance. However, the code does not define "animals" or "small animals."

Coke said she hopes this issue has a good resolution, but she is not sure what it is. The issue is on the Feb. 3 council agenda.