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BZA approves one-person, two-chair home salon for Teresa Johnson with applicant-only condition
Summary
The Board approved a variance allowing a two-chair beauty salon in an accessory building at 1201 North County Road 600 East for Teresa K. Johnson with the condition that the approval applies only to the applicant and will not continue after she leaves the property.
The Delaware-Muncie Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance of use to allow a two-chair beauty salon to operate in an accessory building at 1201 North County Road 600 East, Selma, Indiana. The board attached a condition limiting the variance to the applicant; the motion passed 4–0 at the July regular meeting.
The variance matters locally because it changes how the Delaware County Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance is applied to a residence zone by allowing commercial activity (a two-chair salon) in an accessory building on a residential lot; the approval permits the applicant to pursue any required business licensing or permits.
Teresa K. Johnson, the applicant, told the board she wants to move her beauty shop from downtown Selma, where she has worked for 38 years, to her home “to take care of my mother.” Johnson described reduced hours and single-operator operations: “I work Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday... For those 3 days, it'll just be myself. I put 2 chairs in there because a lot of times I'll have a perm going and a haircut at the same time.” She said she would not install a sign: “No. I've never had a sign and, with my mom there... I don't want strangers just coming up because I have a business there. I'd really rather not.”
A neighbor, TJ Maine of Selma, spoke in Johnson's favor and described her as “a great neighbor” who “actually improved the property beyond where she found it.” The board asked about operations, customer flow and parking; Johnson said she had communicated with neighbors and received support.
A board member moved to approve BZA 31-25 with the condition that the variance be personal to the applicant and not continue after she moves or dies. Another board member seconded the motion; the roll call — Miss Knapp, Mister Billington, Miss Fritsch and Miss Mathewson — returned four yes votes. The board’s office will provide certification of approval to allow Johnson to proceed with any required business permitting or licensing.
The decision included a condition limiting the variance to the applicant; the board recorded no public opposition during the hearing.
