Board approves EarthHeart psychotherapy home-based practice with limits on on-site activity

Monroe County’s Board of Zoning Appeals on Aug. 5 granted a conditional-use permit for EarthHeart’s psychotherapy and coaching practice at 4307 South Leonard Springs Road, voting 4-0 to approve the home-based business application.

Planning staff initially recommended denial because two CDO criteria lacked adequate supporting evidence: (1) the operator must reside in the dwelling and no more than two non-resident employees may come to the site on any day, and (2) no more than eight customers per day and only one customer (plus dependents or caregivers) on-site at a time for service activities. Staff said site visits showed multiple vehicles on an adjacent property owned by the petitioners and a new paved walkway between the parcels; staff sought clarification that the adjacent parcel (4301) and other owned properties would not be used for client parking or service activities.

Brett Earthhart, appearing online, told the board that most of the business is virtual and that in-person sessions at 4307 are only a small portion of his practice. Earthhart said clients are typically seen by appointment in a walk-out basement with a separate entrance and that the adjacent property is a long-term rental used by family and friends; he told the board that clients do not park at the adjacent property and that practitioners who park there are personal acquaintances rather than part of a routine employee parking plan. He also said public events held twice a year on the property are rare, usually hosted elsewhere when possible, and not part of routine client services.

The planning report noted the business’s website lists many practitioners and several downtown rented suites; the petitioners explained most practitioners operate virtually or out of downtown suites and that no more than two off-site employees would be expected on any given day at the residence. Staff also asked the petitioners to clarify the number of in-person clients per day; the petitioners said most in-person appointments are couples or family sessions and that the practice would self-limit in-person volume consistent with CDO standards.

After hearing testimony and receiving letters of neighborhood support, the board approved the conditional use. Board members and staff emphasized that any use of adjacent parcels for clients, practitioners or parking would not be covered by this permit and would require separate approvals; staff also noted that any intensification of activity beyond the home-based business standards would require a new conditional-use approval. The motion passed 4-0.