Stevens County planning panel recommends home-based beauty salon with limits after neighborhood objections

The Stevens County Planning Commission on May 5 recommended that a conditional use permit be granted to allow a home-based beauty salon at 58 Station Court in Takoa, with the applicant agreeing to operate a single-chair, appointment-only service and to avoid signage. The recommendation goes to the Stevens County Board of Commissioners for final action at its second meeting in August. The applicant, Alyssa Holbrooks, told the commission she has done hair for 23 years and “I only have 1 chair. I have 1. Yeah. I've always worked alone. That was the whole purpose of bringing it home, is to work alone.” Neighbors told the commission they were not opposed to a sole operator but urged stricter limits than county regulations allow. Resident Charlie Lund said he opposed permitting two chairs, adding, “I guess I'm I'm okay with that [one chair].” Resident Jim Garcia said he was concerned about property values and environmental risks, saying, “Hairdressing salons have toxic chemicals. We're right on the water. And I'm concerned that the toxic chemicals could leach into the lake.” Staff presented the application and cited Stevens County code provisions that make beauty salons and barbershops conditional uses in the residential-single zoning district, and that allow up to two patrons at a time under Chapter 59, Article 16, Section 59-16-12. The staff recommendation was to approve the permit as requested, subject to the standard conditional-use criteria listed in the staff report. Commissioners discussed neighborhood covenants and signage; staff clarified that private covenants are enforced by homeowners and are not a county enforcement matter. During deliberations, a commissioner asked whether the applicant would accept a condition limiting the business to one chair and no signage; Holbrooks agreed. A motion to recommend approval was made and seconded; the public record shows the commission voted in favor. Discussion versus decision: the transcript records public comment, staff review of applicable ordinance sections, the applicant's statements about lone operation and driveway access, neighbors' concerns about traffic and covenants, and commissioners' explicit conditional proposal (one chair, no signage). The commission's recommendation does not change zoning and is advisory; the Board of Commissioners will make the final decision in August. Ending: The commission closed the public hearing after public comment and moved the recommended approval forward; neighbors and the applicant were advised that the final decision will come before the county commissioners and that covenant enforcement is a private matter between neighbors.