Fairhope Board of Adjustment approves special exemption for telehealth dermatology clinic at 308 Magnolia Avenue

The Fairhope Board of Adjustment voted to approve a special-exemption request to allow a telehealth-focused dermatology clinic at 308 Magnolia Avenue.

Brian Baker, a city staff member presenting the case, told the board the property is zoned B-2 (General Business District) in the Central Business District and is developed with a two-story commercial building. Baker said the application (identified in staff materials as BOA 26.06) proposes a single-office suite (Suite 100) for an appointment-only dermatology practice and that staff "does not believe this would alter the character of the area in any way." The board moved and seconded the motion to approve and recorded affirmative votes.

The applicant, Janan Sherani, who identified herself as the owner of Dermonline Clinic, described the business as primarily an online clinic that will occasionally see patients in person. "It's an online clinic, but... every now and then I'll have to Botox a friend," Sherani said, adding the office would operate mornings and expected "no more than 1 to 2 patients per week." She said there is a dedicated parking spot for patients and reiterated the appointment-only nature of the practice.

Staff noted a prior site-plan review for the property in 2006 and said there have been no other Board of Adjustment cases for the address. The board opened the public hearing, invited public comment, heard none, and closed the hearing before taking action. Baker made the motion to approve; the motion was seconded and the board recorded ayes and approved the exemption.

The board did not place any conditions on the approval in the recorded discussion. The meeting then moved on to routine housekeeping and adjournment.