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Lebanon City board approves use variance for pediatric therapy clinic at former church on South Meridian
Summary
The Lebanon City Board of Zoning Appeals approved a use variance permitting Kids Count Therapy to operate an outpatient pediatric therapy clinic at 1301 South Meridian Street, limited to the specific therapy services proposed; the approval was conditioned on review if the use or intensity changes.
The Lebanon City Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously on Jan. 5 to approve a use variance allowing Kids Count Therapy to operate an outpatient pediatric therapy clinic at the former church at 1301 South Meridian Street.
Planning staff told the board the property is a legally existing nonconforming church in the R4 residential district and that the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) requires a change of use to meet current standards. Staff recommended a use variance rather than rezoning so the board could limit approval specifically to the pediatric therapy use proposed. The staff presentation said the requested use meets the five statutory criteria used to evaluate use variances and recommended approval with a condition limiting the variance to the outpatient pediatric therapy services described by the applicant.
According to the applicant, Kids Count Therapy would operate weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., provide therapy such as speech, occupational, physical and mental‑health services, and serve up to 18 children with autism at a time and as many as roughly 150 one‑hour visits per week. The applicant estimated the operation would create about 25–30 new jobs and said the facility would be designed to feel more like a school than a clinic.
A nearby resident, Mike Slofford of 1229 South Meridian, told the board his primary concerns were traffic, alley and parking impacts, and potential effects on property values. Slofford said maneuvering a long vehicle into nearby on‑street spaces is already difficult and that the alley behind the property is in poor condition.
Applicant Frank Knez said the clinic has experience converting churches to therapy sites in nearby communities, described exterior changes and aesthetic treatments to help the building blend into the neighborhood, and explained pickup/drop‑off procedures intended to avoid long vehicle lines. Knez said the agency staggers appointments and uses one‑to‑one handoffs to mitigate elopement risks and limit queuing in front of the building.
At the vote, the board approved the variance with the stated condition that the approval is limited to the outpatient pediatric therapy uses proposed and that any change in use or increase in intensity by current or future owners would require review and approval by the City of Lebanon and the Board of Zoning Appeals. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote recorded in favor by the board members present.
The board also asked staff to review alley conditions near the property and to consult with public works if the resident or staff identify a specific maintenance need. The board adjourned and scheduled its next meeting for Monday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m.
