HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Home Occupation Permit to operate a Certified Public Accounting office at 609 20th StreetCITY OF AMES, IOWA
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTM E
IN THE MATTER OF THE
APPIA CATION OF DEBORAH M.
FLAHERTY FOR A SPECIAL HOME
OCCUPATION PERMIT, § 29.1304(3),
AMES MUNICIPAL CODE, TO
OPEIZATE A CERTIFIED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING OFFICE ON THE
PROPERTY LO( AT
609 20"", S'rla�[,,,r
FACTS
CASE NO. 15-12
E P 2 4 2015
CITY OF AVES, IOWA
GEOCODE NO. 05-35-150-270
DECISION & ORDER
The property at issue is located at 609 20"' Street and is zoned Residential I -ow Density (Rl,).
The applicant, Deborah I'laherty, is applying for a Special I lorne Occupation Permit to allow her
to conduct her Certified Public Accounting practice from a home office.
The home is a one-story house with a basement. The business would be on the first floor and
would occupy a total of 240 square feet ol'the 2,274 square feet of floor area in the house. The
size of the office would be 120 square feet and the waiting area Would be an additional 120
square feet. No modifications to the home are being proposed for use of the business. flours of
operation of" the business would be 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. during tax season (January 16 to
April 15) and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.in. the rest of the year. The applicant testified that the last
appointment during tax season would be scheduled at 7:00 p.m., so that the appointment, Could be
concluded by 8:00 p.m.
There will be a rnaxirm.1111 Of'eight clients per day, and should not be more than two clients in the
home at any given time. The home has a two -car attached garage and a dOLible-wide driveway to
20t" Street. It is expected that clients who arrive by car will park in the applicant's driveway.
Signage will involve a 6x I 0-inch blue -and -black font on white background cardstock sign which
will be affixed non -permanently on the front door, inside the storm door. ']'here will be no
additional employees beyond Ms. Flaherty and occasional part-time work by her daughter, who
resides in the horne.
The applicant does not own the home and is renting it. The owner of the home signed the
application giving consent for the business to be in the home. Surrounding property owners were
notified, and no comments or communications were received. Staff recommended approval, as
the application appears to meet all of'the criteria in Ames Municipal Code section 29.1304(3).
DECISION
The Board considers the standards applicable to Special 110111C Occupation Permits under the
provisions of the zoning ordinance. Having heard the evidence presented about this proposed
business, the Board finds that it meets the standards for the area to be used, signage and number
of employees. Equipment, traffic and parking associated with outside employees are not
involved in this business, and client traffic is in compliance with the standards of the ordinance
and Should not negatively impact the neighborhood. In light of the evidence presented and the
findings in the staff report, the Board determines that granting the permit is appropriate.
ORDER
WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the applicant is GRANTED a Special [Ionic
Occupation Permit, section 29.1304(3) of the Ames Municipal Code, to conduct a Certified
Public Accounting business at the property located at 609 201h Street.
Any person desiring to appeal this decision to a court of` record may do so within 30 (lays after
the filing of this decision.
Done this 24"' day of June, 2015.
Erin Cain
Secretary to the Board
'''S ielby F el
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