HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes 8-24-2016MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
AMES, IOWA AUGUST 24, 2016
The Ames Zoning Board of Adjustment met, pursuant to law, in regular session at 6:00 p.m. on
August 24, 2016, in the Council Chambers of City Hall with the following members present:
Shelby Ebel, Susan Bradbury, Kyle Perkins, Matthew Koehler and Amelia Schoeneman. Staff
members Julie Gould, Heidi Petersen, and Mark Lambert were also present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Moved by Bradbury, seconded by Perkins, to approve the
minutes of the meeting of August 10, 2016.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
CASE NO. 16-10
SPECIAL HOME OCCUPATION PERMIT – Devon Uric, 1009 Clark Avenue
Public Hearing on application for Special Home Occupation Permit to allow online and
direct sales on the property located at 1009 Clark Avenue*
City Planner Julie Gould explained that the application submitted by Devon Uric requests the
approval of a Special Home Occupation permit to allow for a direct and online sales business in
the home at 1009 Clark Avenue. The home is a two and a half-story house with a basement. The
business would be located on the second floor of the house and occupy a total of 105 square feet
of the 1,456 square feet of floor area in the house. Ms. Gould noted the area would be large
enough to allow for storage of inventory and a work space that includes a table/desk and laptop
computer. No modifications to the home are being proposed for use by the business. There are no
set hours, as customer visits are not expected to be a daily occurrence and visits will be light and
intermittent.
Ms. Gould said that the applicant will have no other employees. The home has a detached garage
and a driveway to Clark Avenue. The site will be able to accommodate up to 4 off-street parking
spaces for potential clients. The site plan, project description, applicable law, and findings of fact
and conclusions were reviewed in detail by Ms. Gould. She explained that City staff has
reviewed the request and recommends that the Board approve the request for a Special Home
Occupation Permit.
Ms. Bradbury noted that she saw the business is direct and online sales but inquired what kind of
business. Ms. Gould replied that it is an online business for LuLaRoe clothing.
Ms. Uric, 1009 Clark Avenue, was sworn in and testified under oath. She explained that the
permit is to sell online clothing out of her home for the company LuLaRoe. She said that people
may come to the home to try on clothing or pick up their products but the majority of the
business will be completed online. Ms. Uric informed the Board that she works a full time job so
this will be a part time job for her with no regular business hours of operation.
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Ms. Bradbury questioned Ms. Uric if this is something she has done before in a previous
location. Ms. Uric said that this is not something she’s done before. Ms. Bradbury inquired if the
signatures from neighbors were from the neighbors who reside closest to the property. Ms. Uric
responded that she went to the properties she estimated were within 200 feet who might receive a
notice from the City regarding her application, including the neighbors directly to the north and
south.
Ms. Gould informed the Board that she received two phone calls. However, once questions
surrounding the type of business were answered and clarified, residents did not have further
concerns.
Moved by Koehler, seconded by Perkins, to approve the Special Home Occupation Permit to
allow online and direct sales on the property located at 1009 Clark Avenue.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
COMMENTS: Board members thanked Erin Cain for her service to the Zoning Board and
welcomed new staff members Julie Gould and Heidi Petersen.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Ebel, seconded by Koehler, to adjourn the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
_____________________________ _________________________________
Erin Cain, Recording Secretary Shelby Ebel, Chair