Planning commission approves four conditional-use permits for kennel, studios and small businesses at old elementary

River Heights Planning Commission Chair Noel Cooley and the commission approved four conditional-use permits Feb. 25 for uses in residential areas and the old River Heights Elementary building, including a kennel permit and three business uses in the former school building.

The commission granted a kennel conditional-use permit to resident Tammy McCormick for three dogs, with provision for occasionally a fourth visiting dog. The permit was approved with conditions that McCormick keep the animals in a fully fenced yard, clean up after them and review the city's responsible-dog ownership code (cited in the meeting as River Heights Code 5.24). The permit was described as expiring if she vacates the city.

The commission also approved conditional uses for three applicants to operate out of the old River Heights Elementary building: Stacy Hansen to run a photography studio; David Tennell (general manager for Total Tree Care) to locate an office; and Amy Tidwell to use a classroom for a small pre-kindergarten program. Each of those approvals was conditioned on a signed contract with the building's property management company and will lapse if the tenant's lease ends.

McCormick told the commission her daughter, son-in-law and grandson moved in after her husband's death and the household sometimes includes three dogs and "sometimes a fourth," prompting her conditional-use request. Commissioners noted a neighbor complaint had prompted an animal-control inquiry and that one emailed supporter, Andrea Bullen, wrote she lived across the street and described McCormick as "a responsible dog owner and a good neighbor." The commission discussed typical concerns for kennel permits — fenced yards, animals escaping, noise and odors — and included those items in the permit conditions.

Stacy Hansen told the commission she has run a photography business for 15 years and sought to lease an 18-by-26-foot space in the old school to expand. Commissioners asked about door access, locking internal doors so adjacent tenants cannot access each other's spaces, and building hours. Hansen said she is "by appointment only," normally schedules sessions from about 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., and that most clients would leave by 8:30 p.m.; commission staff said the building's general rental contract currently allows occupants from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The commission required a signed lease/contract with the property manager as a condition and noted the permit would end if Hansen vacated.

David Tennell said his use would be office-only for Total Tree Care ("back-end operations"), likely a desk and computer with no public visits and at most one additional employee; the commission approved his conditional use with the same signature-and-vacation conditions.

Amy Tidwell told the commission she already runs a small preschool/daycare in River Heights and proposed to move a small pre-K class ("2 to 4 kids," sometimes up to 6) to the school building during quiet hours (she said the class would meet roughly from noon to 2 p.m., with requested hours 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as a window). Neighbors including Britney Cascio and a nearby resident spoke in favor. Commissioners emphasized the permit would cover "pre-K" classroom use rather than a full daycare (which would require fenced play areas and additional facility changes) and required Tidwell hold a River Heights business license and the same signed contract condition; the commission noted that if she vacates the lease the conditional-use permit would expire.

Votes at a glance

- Tammy McCormick, kennel at private residence: motion to accept the kennel conditional-use permit for three dogs (occasional fourth). Conditions: fully fenced yard; clean up after animals; review River Heights Code 5.24 (responsible dog ownership); permit expires on vacating the city. Outcome: approved.

- Stacy Hansen, photography studio (old River Heights Elementary building, 18-by-26 room): conditions: signed contract with property manager and the city; permit expires if tenant vacates; applicants must abide by building management rules (hours, access). Outcome: approved.

- David Tennell / Total Tree Care, office (old school): conditions: signed contract with property manager; office only (no public visits expected); permit expires if tenant vacates. Outcome: approved.

- Amy Tidwell, pre-K classroom (old school): conditions: River Heights business license required; signed contract with property manager; permit expires if tenant vacates. Outcome: approved.

Commissioners repeatedly noted that the permits would be administratively implemented after the commission's approval at the next meeting when minutes are reviewed and that tenants must complete registration and any required business licensing before operations began. The commission flagged that conditional-use permits could be revoked if neighbors later objected and that compliance with city codes (noise, odors, cleanup, and building lease terms) is required.

The approvals followed public testimony and written support (an email from Andrea Bullen was read into the record supporting McCormick's application) and short discussions by commissioners regarding fencing, odors, locking of internal doors in the school building and hours of operation.

The meeting record shows the decisions were motions approved by voice vote; a roll-call tally naming individual commissioners was not recorded in the transcript of the meeting.