HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Home Occupation Permit to Operate a Massage Therapy Business at 1910 George Allen AvenueCITY OF AMES, IOWA
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTM
IN THE MATTER OF THE
APPLICATION OF KLINE FOR A
SPECIAL HOME OCCUPATION
PERMIT, SECTION 29.4(3), AMES
MUNICIPAL CODE, TO OPERATE A
MASSAGE THERAY BUSINESS ON
THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT
1910 GEORGE ALLEN AVENUE
FACTS
0 L I
AUG 2 1 2012
�T
CITY CLERK
CASE NO. 12-14
GEOCODE NO.05-35-425-100
The property at this address is a two story single family residence with an attached two car
garage, all located in an area which is zoned RL (Low Density Residential). The applicant is
purchasing this home to become her residence since she is moving to Ames from a nearby
community. She is a licensed massage therapist and operates that business in a commercial
office space elsewhere in Ames. On moving here, she would like to have her massage therapy
office in her home and is seeking a Special Horne Occupation permit to allow this. The applicant
is proposing to use one room having 350 square feet for this business. There are 2141 total
square feet in the residence, so this would comprise 16.3% of the home. The home has an
attached two car garage with room in the driveway to park two additional vehicles. The room to
be used for the business is located right behind the attached garage and has a separate entrance,
allowing clients to park in the driveway and then take the sidewalk leading directly to the
separate entrance. The applicant's proposed hours of operation are from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday through. Friday and on occasional Saturdays. Clients are seen by appointment only with
no more than five appointments scheduled in a day and at least 15-20 minutes between
appointments. With this time separation, there is little chance there will ever be two clients at
the home at the same time. The equipment used in the business consists of a sturdy massage
table. The applicant is the only employee of the business and there no other home occupations or
classes associated with this residence. The applicant has no immediate plans for a sign, but if
one is installed in the future, it will comply with the square footage and flush mounting
requirements and will state only the name of the business, "Wellspring Wellness." Neighbors
express concerns about traffic and parking issues from having a business in the neighborhood
since there is already a daycare located across the street.
DECISION
The Board considers the standards applicable to Special Home Occupations under the provisions
of the zoning ordinance. Having received the evidence concerning this proposed business, the
Board determines that is agrees with the Staff s findings that this application meets the standards
for area to be Used, C(ILlipluent, Signage, traffic, parking, number of" employees, classes and
number of home Occupations. This business owner has I -Lill this same type of business at a
commercial location so she has experience with scheduling and workflow. While the concerns
expressed by the neighbors have merit, the standards in the ordinance have been met and should
provide limitations so the normal residential character ol'the area is maintained.
ORDER
WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the applicant is Granted a Special Horne Occupation
Permit, Section 29.1503 of the Ames Municipal Code, to operate a massage therapy business, in
accordance with the parameters of her application, Including the following:
1. Hours of operation shall be from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with
occasional Saturday appointments;
2. The number of clients shall not exceed five per day;
3. Clients shall be instructed to park in the driveway;
4. Appointments shall be scheduled to provide erIOLIgh time between clients so that no more
than one client is present at a time.
All for the property located at 1910 George Allen Avenue.
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 25"' day of"July, 2012.
. .. . ......
Bruce Ca111oun°
Chair