HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Home Occupation Permit to operate an energy healing practice business at 1121 Harding AvenueCITY OF AM ES, IOWA
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTME
IN "I'l I E MAT I ER OF TI III
APPLICATION OF YOUNG: FOR A
SPECIAL HOME OCCUPATION
PERMIT, §29.1304, AMES MUNICIPAL
CODE, TO OPERATE AN ENERGY
HEALING PRACTICE BUSINESS ON
THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT
1121 IIARDING. AVENUE
FACTS
CASE NO. 13-01
GEOCODE NO. 09-03-233-040
DECISION & ORDER
The homeowner at this address is seeking Special I 10111C OCCLIP4111,1011 Permit to have a certified
energy healing practice in her home. Her residence is a one arid one-half story house located on
the west side of Harding Avenue, one block west of Grand Avenue and SOLIth of' 13"' Street. This
area is zoned LJCRM (Urban Core Medium Density Residential). The applicant describes this
therapy as one which LItIIIZCS tOLICII to Influence the energy system of the client to restore their
personal harmony and balance and to promote self -healing. III practice, the practitioner uses
light touch of the client, who is fully clothed, to accomplish the therapy. She explains that she is
certified iri this practice, and will be the only ernployce of'the bLISHICSS. The cqLIIPIIICI'lt used in
the practice is a massage table. She plans to LISC 144 square feet of her 1,220 SCILIare Im home
f'or the bLIS111CSS, which calculates to 12'X0 of the home's floor area. No alterations of" the
residence are needed to operate the bLISIncss. The applicant's home has a detached single car -
garage with a driveway that can accommodate a client's vehicle. Since IICI- ClIC)'"ItS LISUAlly C0111C
outside of the normal weekday work 110LIrS, she plans to operate from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday; from 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday and from 2:00 p.rri. to
9:00 p.m. Oil Sunday. Clients would be seen by appointment only with an average of three to
l
4D al I Incrits call last
five appointments per (lay, but with no more than Ci(Illt MaXil111,1111. 'Hic ) )0inti
from OFIC-11alf 1101-ir to two and one-half hours in length, and rarely overlap. No sign will be Used,
no classes will be offered and there will be no deliveries associated with the bLISIrICSS. The
applicant IMS 110 Offiff 110111C occupations at the residence.
DECISION
The Board considers the standards applicable to Special Home Occupation Permits Under the
provisions of the zoning ordinance. In this matter, the applicant's residence meets the standards
for area to be LIscd, equipment, employees, traffic, parking and signagc. There will be no classes
or other ]ionic occupations associated with the home, and the applicant is planning no sign so the
exterior residential character of'the ]ionic will be maintained. In view of` the evidence presented,
the Board finds it can grant this permit with conditions to assure that the residential character of
the neighborhood is maintained.
ORDER
WHEREFORE, i'r IS ORDERED that the applicant is Granted a Special Home Occupation
Permit, section 29.1304 of the Ames Municipal Code, to operate an energy healing practice
home business under the terms of'operation described in the application and staff rcport, with the
additional condition that appointments be scheduled so that only a single client is oil the
premises at one time, all for the property located at 1121 Harding 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 I 3t" day ofMarch, 2013.
Elizabeth 'Erbes
Chair