Planning commission approves conditional use permit for Swedish weaving classes downtown

The Pleasant Grove Planning Commission on Aug. 28 approved a conditional use permit allowing Eleanor Peterson to operate Swedish weaving classes with limited retail at 316 East State Street in the city’s Commercial Sales 2 (CS-2) zone.

City planner Jacob Hawkins told commissioners the proposed use falls under Use 6830, “Special Training and Schooling,” which is a conditional use in CS-2. Hawkins said classes would be held primarily during daytime hours with an additional two to five evening classes per week and occasional Saturday workshops. He said each class would have six to 10 students and that the business would sell a small amount of materials and handwoven goods as a secondary activity. Hawkins recommended approval without conditions after finding parking and noise requirements could be met.

In a brief presentation to the commission, Hawkins said the zoning district requires a parking ratio tied to student counts and staff, and that the applicant’s current model — up to 10 students and one instructor — would require roughly eight parking spaces per class. He said shared parking agreements and on-site spaces would satisfy that requirement. “Because the parking has been taken care of and because most of the uses within Use 6830 are indoors and will be subject to all requirements and the zoning ordinances, including the noise limitations, staff recommends approval of the proposed conditional use permit without any conditions,” Hawkins said.

Applicant Eleanor Peterson described her plan to bring Swedish-style weaving instruction to Pleasant Grove and to invite an instructor from Sweden to teach. “I have 58 people on my interest list, and I have two people who have already paid for classes, even though I don't have a venue yet,” Peterson said. She said the business would begin with three-week intensive classes and might later add other formats, additional instructors, seasonal workshops or a second location.

The commission opened the public hearing and heard no public comment. Commissioner Martineau moved to approve the permit, Commissioner Butler seconded, and the commission approved the motion by voice vote.

The permit allows instruction and limited retail tied to class activity under Use 6830 in the CS-2 zone. The approval is subject to final planning and engineering requirements specified by staff; commissioners did not add further conditions during the meeting.