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Board allows home coffee‑roasting business, limits equipment to three roasters
Summary
The Kokomo City Board granted a special exception March 3, 2026 for a home‑based coffee‑roasting business at 216 Southwestern Avenue, imposing a stipulation limiting the number of roasters to three and noting operations will be primarily non‑retail and largely online.
The Kokomo City Board of Zoning and Appeals on March 3, 2026 approved case P04SE26, permitting a home‑occupation coffee‑roasting business at 216 Southwestern Avenue. Petitioners Isaac Haney and Matt Anton described a garage‑based operation using a ventless Bellweather electric roaster and said the unit requires no gas lines or external venting.
Petitioner Isaac Haney told the board, "Bellweather coffee roasters are unique machines in the coffee roasting industry as they are fully electric units that don't require gas lines, venting, or construction," and said any aroma would be minimal and comparable to baked goods. Haney and Anton said roasting will occur inside an enclosed garage with minor interior upgrades (a handwashing sink, insulation and drywall) to meet state health requirements and that sales will be primarily online with limited approved‑venue sales such as farmers markets.
Staff supported the request and noted the operation would use an existing legal nonconforming garage with limited exterior changes. Staff also cited industry context, referencing a National Coffee Association 2025 statistic discussed during the hearing to indicate broad consumer acceptance and minimal likelihood of moral objections.
Board members sought operational limits for safety and neighborhood compatibility. Petitioners discussed equipment scale and deliveries and agreed to a board stipulation limiting the home operation to up to three roasters. Petitioners also estimated initial operating hours in an approximate 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Thursday pattern with shipping activities on Fridays. The board called for a voice vote and approved the special exception with the three‑roaster condition.
The approval is conditioned on the representations made in the petition and on forthcoming site‑plan or administrative steps to address any required minor interior changes. The board did not record individual roll‑call votes; the approval was announced as carried by voice vote.
