Board approves conditional use permit for woodworking business at 176 West Jefferson Avenue with indoor/no-customer conditions

The Danville Board of Adjustments unanimously approved a conditional use permit allowing woodworking and craft production for off-site sale at 176 West Jefferson Avenue, subject to conditions intended to limit noise and on-site customer traffic.

Planning staff Mikayla Jerry described the request as a home-occupation conditional use in an RM-2 (two-family residential) zone under the home-occupation standards. Jerry summarized the proposed restrictions and staff-recommended conditions, noting "I highlighted number 7 just because I have a little bit of concern about noise levels associated with woodworking on the site." She recommended conditions including no customers on-site, all woodworking operations to occur indoors, and that sales be routed to farmers markets or by mail.

Applicant Jonathan Crowley said the shop is in a roughly 12-by-25 outbuilding behind the house and that "when the doors are closed, you can't hear it." He said a neighbor provided a letter stating they have not heard noise from his operations and that he does not conduct assembly or staining work outdoors.

Lonnie McGuire recused himself from this application. Board member Jim and others asked about the city's noise ordinance. After discussion, a board member moved to approve the permit and noted that concerns about noise were addressed by the operation being indoors and by neighbor statements; the motion was seconded and the board voted "All in favor? No opposition. Motion passes." The board adopted the conditions recommended by staff.

The approved conditions recorded in the staff report require that the woodworking be conducted by residents only, that operations remain secondary to residential use, that there be no visible change to the dwelling's exterior, no customers on-site, and that operations be indoors to mitigate noise.