HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Home Occupation Permit to operate accounting business at 1403 Maxwell AvenueCITY OF AMES, IOWA
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMEN
IN THE MATT1,,R OF THE
APPLICATION OF FLAHERTY FOR A
SPECIAL HOME OCCUPATION
PERMIT, § 28.1304(3), AMES
MLJNICIPAI- CODE, TO OPERATE AN
ACCOUNTING BUSINESS ONTHE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT
1403 MAXWELL AVENUE
FACTS
CASE NO. 12-30
E
ViA[i 20 2013
(,EO(-1'ODE NO. 051-35-452-130
DECISION & ORDER
The property at this address is single story duplex in an RL (Low Density Residential) zoning
district that is on a corner lot. One of the units is addressed on Maxwell while the other unit
fronts on East 14"' Street. The resident in the Unit facing .14"' Street wants to operate a certified
public accountants office in that ]ionic, and is here seeking a Special Horne OcCLIP',11[1011 PCI-Inn to
allow that. The applicant is proposing to use a sin -le room in the home with 120 square feet of
the 1,550 square feet of the ]ionic residence for an office, which will be equipped with
conventional home office furnishings. There will be no structural alterations to the home except
that a sign is anticipated in the future. Itt, will meet the ordinance size restrictions. The resident.
of the ]ionic is the only regular employee of the business, although the resident receives
occasional assistance in the business from her daUghter, who also resides in this home. The
applicant expects there will be no more than ten visits daily from clients, with six to seven visits
the daily typical average CILII-111- the months of February to rind -April. The duplex has a detached
two car garage for the two LII'IItS to share and there is a 19 foot wide driveway that provides three
parking spaces for each Unit. Client appointments will be spaced so there are not two clients
present at the same time. The applicant proposes to be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday
through Saturday from January to April, and then It WOLI]d be limited to an appointment only
basis &11-11-1g the balance of the year. The room which will be dedicated to this business is on the
main floor of the home and clients will enter through the main door of the house. This is the
only home occupation at this location and there are no classes associated with it.
F)Ffl I q I ON
The Board considers the standards applicable to Special [tome Occupation permits Under the
provisions of the zoning ordinance. Having heard the evidence presented and presented in the
I Z71
staff report, the Board finds that the proposed bLIS111OSS will not alter the normal residential
character of the borne or of the neighborhood. The evidence establishes that the applicant's
proposal rneets the standards for area to be used, CCILIT111CIlt, Signs, C111plOyrnent, traffic and
parking. The class size and number of' home OCCUIX11101-1 criteria do not apply to this situation.
The Board finds, based on the staff's findings of facts and concILISIons, and on the evidence
presented, that this Special Home Occupation permit should be granted.
4:71
ORDER
WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the applicant is granted a Special Home Occupation
pen -nit, § 29.1304(3), Ames Municipal Code, to operate a certified Public accountants office
Subject to the .[Ionic Occupation being operated as described in the "I',indings" portion of the
staff report, which are incorporated herein by this reference, with the exception that the hours of
operation shall be from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday thi-OLI(Ill Saturday during the months of
.January through April, and then as needed by appointment during the months of May thi-OL1011
December, on the property located at 1403 Maxwell Avenue.
Any person desiring to appeal this decision to a court of'record may do so within 30 days of the
filing of this decision.
Done this 9'1 ' day of January, 2013.
.Elizabeth Erbes
Chair