North Augusta board approves special exception for home‑based business 'Paws and Priorities'

The North Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals on July 1, 2025, unanimously approved application ZE25‑006, granting a special exception that allows Bridget Keener to operate Paws and Priorities, a mobile home‑based personal‑assistant business offering pet sitting, house sitting, grocery shopping and pet‑waste removal, from her residence at 321 Saint Julian Place.

City staff and the board said the business will be mobile and that clients will not visit the home. Mr. Paradise, a city staff member who presented the staff report, described the property as a 0.27‑acre lot in the R‑14 (large‑lot single‑family) zoning district and advised the board that the application meets the 11 criteria for a special exception under the North Augusta Development Code. Staff recommended approval with conditions.

Bridget Keener, the applicant and sole proprietor of Paws and Priorities, told the board she moved to North Augusta in October 2023 and described the business as mobile. Keener said the work will be performed at clients’ homes and not at her residence, and that she intends “no signage, no foot traffic, and absolutely no customers come into my house.” She also said pet‑waste removal would be handled as household waste and disposed of through normal means.

During the board’s review, members noted the code language and the staff analysis, which cited Article 5.3.7 and Section 18.8.4 of the North Augusta Development Code. The staff packet states the use is consistent with standards for noise, traffic, parking, residential compatibility and public safety for home occupations; it also referenced the code allowance that home occupations are expected to generate no more than 10 business‑related trips per day.

Board members discussed how to treat deliveries and clarified that ordinary residential deliveries (UPS, FedEx, postal parcels) are permitted but that commercial‑scale deliveries—such as tractor‑trailer deliveries—would be considered disruptive and subject to enforcement. The board asked whether any animals would be brought to the applicant’s home; Keener said services are performed at client residences and there will be no boarding at her house.

The board voted to approve ZE25‑006 with three conditions recommended by staff: (1) no client visits or client‑related deliveries at the home address; (2) no signage or external alterations to the dwelling; and (3) administrative activities must remain within the home office and must not generate additional traffic, parking or nuisances. The motion to approve was made by Jim Newman and seconded by Bill Burkhalter. The recorded vote was unanimous in favor (Kathy Stallworth, Kevin Skaggs, Bill Burkhalter and Jim Newman voted yes; London Smith was absent).

The board closed the matter after the vote and wished the applicant luck. No other items were heard on the application.