Commission rezones 308 N. First St. to allow neighborhood services for sensory‑safe business

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a rezoning for 308 North First Street, allowing the small, existing house to be used for neighborhood‑scale personal services and a wellness shop.

City staff said the 0.0826‑acre site lies within the downtown planning area and that the recently updated comprehensive plan and downtown overlay support a transition toward mixed‑use neighborhood development. A staff member summarized the recommendation: "Staff has determined that neighborhood services would be the most appropriate zoning district," the staff member said during the hearing.

The applicant, April Kearney, told the commission she and her husband own the property and plan to operate a sensory‑safe cosmetology and wellness service for high‑sensory autistic women. "This beautiful property that we have invested in ... I'm excited to be able to bring sensory safe services to our high functioning autistic women in the area," Kearney said. She described plans to retain the home's 1950s character, to operate small, appointment‑based services and an adjacent wellness store and herb garden to support client programs.

Staff said Neighborhood Services is a limited retail category intended to serve nearby residents with frequently purchased goods and personal services, and that this zoning better fits the property than either Office (which does not allow personal services) or full Retail (which allows larger uses). The applicant said neighbors contacted staff but did not file formal objections.

Commissioners voted to approve the rezoning. Staff and the applicant said the change allows the owner to proceed with required building‑ and business‑permitting processes; any change in use or expansion beyond neighborhood services would require additional approvals.