Commission approves trade school (barbering, cosmetology) at Dexter Drive, 8-0

The Planning and Zoning Commission on March 3 approved a request for a specific use permit to operate a trade school that will train students for state barbering and cosmetology licenses in a suite of an existing office building on the south side of Dexter Drive, roughly 710 feet east of Preston Road. The commission voted 8-0 to approve the zoning case.

Destiny Woods, planner with the planning department, told the commission the site is in Planned Development District 194 and was developed in 2019 with general administrative and medical office suites. She said the proposed use would be located in a two-story suite and requires a change of use only; no site improvements are proposed. "Personal service shop is a similar use, which also applies to barbering and cosmetology, and is permitted by right in the zoning district, so staff is supportive of this change of use," Woods said. Staff reported no letters were received within the 200-foot buffer or citywide.

Commissioner Brunoff moved to approve the item as submitted by staff, saying, "I think this is an entirely appropriate use for the land considering that the occupations for which they will be training their students are already legal on this property." Commissioner Tong seconded. The motion passed 8 to 0.

The petitioner listed on the agenda is Loric Enterprises. The application was presented as a legislative consideration for a zoning case (transcript reference labeled "20 25 0 0 1"). The commission's approval was a change of use in an existing building; no site or infrastructure changes were described on the record.