Board grants variance for Madison Health and Wellness clinic; approval tied to appointment‑only operations

Madison’s Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance of use April 14 allowing Madison Health and Wellness (business name) to operate a health and wellness clinic in an R‑8 (medium‑density residential) zone, contingent on appointment‑only operations and a condition tying the variance to the business rather than an individual owner.

The applicant was represented by Scott Lynch, who described owner Sandra Smith as a nurse practitioner with a 15‑year practice offering primary‑care services, hormone therapy, skin care and limited mental‑health services. Staff told the board the city’s zoning text contains a mismatch between the use‑table and the detailed land‑use descriptions, which is why the applicant applied for a variance of use.

“She's a nurse practitioner, which I know is almost a doctor,” Lynch said in describing the services. Planning staff recommended the variance because the city’s comprehensive plan and staff interpretation supported the use although the schedule of uses did not list it explicitly.

A neighbor raised a traffic/driveway visibility concern; staff and the board noted that signage location and driveway maintenance were outside the board’s jurisdiction and pointed neighbors to appropriate channels. Board members reviewed the five statutory criteria for a variance of use and found them met, citing the comprehensive‑plan alignment, the limited scale of operations (two employees by appointment), and no substantive adverse testimony from recognized authorities.

The board approved the variance unanimously and added conditions: operation by appointment only, and that the variance remain valid for the named business, Madison Health and Wellness. The board also noted that any sign must meet the city’s sign ordinance and that the applicant should maintain safe driveway visibility.