Council approves small‑scale plan amendment and conditional‑use permit for small medical office at 963 West Juniata

The council approved a small‑scale comprehensive plan amendment and a conditional‑use permit allowing the conversion of an existing single‑family home at 963 West Juniata into a small medical office (audiology practice).

Planning staff said the applicant, Dr. Blair Handy, sought to change the future land‑use designation from Medium‑Density Residential to Residential Office and to obtain a CUP for a medical office within the R‑3 Residential Professional zone. Staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval; the commission voted 7–0 to recommend approval.

Staff noted the proposed use would be small scale: Dr. Handy plans to work alone, see one patient at a time and operate approximately 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Tuesday–Thursday. The CUP included two special conditions: a reduction in required parking from eight spaces to five (including one ADA stall) and permission to construct those five spaces partially in the city right‑of‑way as shown on the submitted site concept. Staff said engineering details and stormwater compliance would be addressed at the site‑plan stage.

Council debated spot‑zoning concerns and parking/sidewalk layout. Council approved the ordinance adopting the small‑scale plan amendment (Ordinance 2025‑022) by a 3–2 vote. The CUP (Resolution 2025‑011R) was then approved 3–2, with council adding conditions that the use be restricted to medical/professional office operation and that the applicant align the sidewalk and angled parking with the adjacent dentist’s layout; council specified that the CUP would lapse if substantial work had not begun within two years and that the CUP could be reviewed if the use ceased for 180 days.

Ending: Staff and the applicant agreed to refine the parking/sidewalk design and return to staff/site review for engineering details; the CUP includes enforcement/import provisions tied to building/occupancy.