Stonecrest planning commission backs limited zoning exception to allow Brazilian wax shop on Panola Road

The Stonecrest Planning Commission voted unanimously Jan. 7 to recommend that the City Council amend a rezoning condition so a Brazilian wax business can operate at a Panola Road shopping center, while keeping a larger prohibition on barbershops and beauty salons in place.

The commission's recommendation, on case zm24000042193 (referenced in the public hearing as zm24-004), would add a specific exception to condition 1(d) of rezoning case RZ19-005 to allow a Brazilian wax establishment at the cited property, which is zoned C-1 (local commercial) following the earlier rezoning from R-100 (single-family residential). The Planning Department presented the request and recommended the limited exception rather than removing the entire condition.

Deputy Director Steele told commissioners, "If we remove the entire condition, that would allow barbershops, beauty salons, and other similar establishments," and said staff proposed allowing only the Brazilian-wax use so the rest of the plaza would not become open to all beauty/barber uses. Steele also noted the item had been the subject of a community participation meeting Dec. 12, where residents expressed concern about saturation of personal care businesses in the area.

Applicant Jose Ayala, represented at the hearing by his daughter Ariana Ayala, said he has owned La Salinas Mexican Restaurant across the street for 34 years and that a lease for the wax tenant had been signed and then denied because of the zoning restriction. "This business has been growing for the last couple of years and will continue growing," Ariana Ayala said, citing industry growth data presented by the applicant.

Commissioner Lemuel Hawkins moved to recommend approval of the amendment with the exception; Commissioner Joyce Walker seconded. The motion passed unanimously with Commissioners Bridal Williams, Joyce Walker, Lemuel Hawkins, Eric Hubbard and Commissioner Hollis recorded in favor. The commission's action is a recommendation only; the City Council will make the final decision on the rezoning amendment.

The Planning Department record identifies the property as suburban neighborhood on the future land use map and included a site plan and facade photos of the shopping center. Staff's recommendation memo said it opposed lifting the full prohibition in condition 1(d) (which covers barber and beauty shops and similar personal service establishments) but supported a narrowly tailored amendment to allow the single Brazilian-wax use at the requested unit.

Next steps: the applicant must present the commission's recommendation to the Stonecrest City Council for final action. The commission's approval does not change other existing zoning conditions; staff said if the Brazilian-wax tenant later vacates, the broader prohibition on barbershops and beauty salons would remain in effect for the property unless the council or a future action removes it.