Board of Zoning Appeals denies Garden Quest’s request to expand hands‑on education on residential lot

The Bloomington Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously on Nov. 14 to deny a petition from Garden Quest to operate expanded educational programming on a 1.65‑acre residential lot at 2110 East Covenanter Drive.

Jackie Scanlon, the city’s Development Services Manager, told the board the request was for a home‑occupation conditional use with a companion variance to allow more than one nonresident employee. Staff recommended approving a conditional‑use limited to activity inside the dwelling and denying the variance; staff proposed conditions including that the entirety of the home occupation take place within the structure, attendees park on improved surfaces or in the garage, and no more than 15 people be on site for educational programming at one time.

Petitioner Ellie Spear described Garden Quest as an urban‑farm educational program that has hosted interns, school field trips and community workshops. "We are doing this for the community, not for ourselves," she told the board, summarizing her request for both small regular sessions and occasional larger tours. Her husband, Brett Spear, said…