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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Home Occupation Permit - 2507 White Oak Drive - Stephen BohlenWON :11 I'll r i r IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION: OF BOHLEN FOR A SPECIAL HOME CASE NO. 11-14 L E J U L 15 2011 CITY CLERK CITY OF AMES, ION/A OCCUPATION PERMIT, SECTION 29.1304(3), AMES MUNICIPAL CODE, GEOCODE NO. 09-16-402--115 TO OPERATE A COUNSELING SERVICE: ON THE PROPERTY DECISION & ORDER LOCATED AT 2507 WHITE OAK DRIVE : FACTS The applicant recently moved to this community from another city in Iowa and purchased the single family home at this address as his residence. It is in an RL (Low Density Residential) zoning district. He is a licensed counselor and had operated a counseling service in his previous residence. He would like to do so in this home as well and is seeking a home occupation permit for that reason. The home is a ranch style with an attached two car garage. It has a total of 3257 square feet of floor area. The applicant would dedicate an existing room with 253 square feet of floor space in the basement of the home for his office. The equipment to be used will be a computer, printer, fax, scanner and other typical office equipment. The basement has a separate entrance that opens directly to the outside of the east side of the house, which would be the door that clients would be instructed to use. A framed 8 %2 " by 11 " sign would be used to mark that entrance for times when brand new clients are scheduled, but would not generally be left on display. The types of counseling issues he normally sees are those involving marital conflict, depression and anxiety. His clients are not generally court ordered, and though he usually see them one on one, there are times when he does couples counseling. He does not ever do group counseling. The hours of operation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with very occasional evening or weekend appointments. The counseling sessions run approximately an hour in length, and he schedules only 3 or 4 appointments a day so that he can leave at least a half hour of unscheduled time between appointments. The home has a two car garage and a driveway that is wide and deep enough to park at least two vehicles and may be able to park more than that if they are smaller cars, so all visitors should be able to park off the street. That is necessary since this home sits at a curve in the street where parking at the curb is limited without blocking curbside mailboxes. The applicant will be the only employee. DECISION The Board considers the standards applicable to Special Home Occupation permits under the provisions of the zoning ordinance. In this case, the applicant will be using a space that is already finished for his office and using only standard size office equipment. The home has sufficient off street parking for client traffic and hours will be primarily during the daytime. The appointments will be scheduled with no overlap, which will keep the number of trips well below the maximum the ordinance calls for. A sign will only be used on an intermittent basis. Given these facts, the Board finds that the applicant meets the standard for area to be used, equipment, and traffic and parking. Page 1 of 2 There will not be any classes or group counseling offered, nor are there any other home occupations at this home. The applicant is the only employee, so the standard for number of employees is met. A code compliant sign will only be used when needed for new clients. Given this evidence, the Board finds that it can grant this permit. WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the applicant is granted a Special Home Occupation permit, Section 29.1304(3), Ames Municipal Code, to allow a licensed professional counseling office with the following operational parameters: 1. Hours will be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with evening appointments allowed one time every other week and weekend appointments once every several months; 2. Clients will be instructed to park in the driveway of the home; 3. A framed 8-1/2 inch by 11 inch sign may be displayed on the outside entrance to the basement for times when there are new clients, all for the property located at 2507 White Oak Drive. Any person desiring to appeal this decision to a court of record may do so within 30 days after the filing of this decision. Done this 8th day of June, 2011. 5 •the C•. • Bruce Calhoun Chair Page 2 of 2