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Board approves variance to allow small flower-and-gift shop at 696 West Main Street
Summary
The Danville Board of Zoning Appeals approved a use variance for a small flower-and-gift shop, Pedals on the Porch, at 696 West Main Street, subject to recorded commitments limiting hours, employees and outdoor storage and requiring rear parking improvements.
The Danville Board of Zoning Appeals voted to approve a use variance allowing a small flower-and-gift shop, Pedals on the Porch, to operate on the first floor of a residence at 696 West Main Street. The board’s approval was conditioned on recorded commitments limiting hours, capping employees and preventing outdoor storage.
John Moore, who identified himself as petitioner representative for Sherry Spurlock, told the board the 1,400-square-foot first floor would be used for custom floral arrangements, event designs and a limited walk-in retail presence while most sales would be online. He told the board the applicant expects one delivery van each week and no large delivery trucks, and said the applicant agreed to staff recommendations including administrative site-plan approval and recorded restrictions on hours, outdoor storage and the number of employees.
Moore said the proposed hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, and that staff is not opposed. He also noted there are five on-site parking spaces and additional street parking on nearby Maple Street; the applicant agreed to improve the rear parking area per the staff report.
At the hearing board members asked whether the use would set a precedent for converting residences to businesses and whether curbside parking on Main Street would become a problem. One committee member warned that allowing conversions could encourage more homeowners to convert houses into businesses and reduce available housing; Moore replied that any larger expansion would require rezoning and that each variance stands on its own merits. Another member raised parking concerns; Moore pointed to on-site spaces and the town-maintained public lot nearby.
The motion to approve PZA petition 20262283 was moved by the presiding officer and seconded; the presiding officer read the findings required under state law and the board voted in favor. The approval was made subject to the recorded commitments limiting hours and employees, preventing outdoor storage except seasonal porch displays, and requiring the rear parking area improvements described in the staff report.
