Danville panel defers decision on proposal to convert 181 West Broadway to a law office

A Danville Town panel deferred action on a request to permit a professional law office at 181 West Broadway Street, saying the board would prepare and consider written findings of fact at its next meeting.

Scott Karen, the applicant, told the panel he has operated a Danville law office since 2007 and described his practice as small and part-time: "I might have 3 or 4 people come to my office a week," he said, adding that he would not alter the exterior and expects to return the property to residential use in the future.

During public comment a participant said they were worried approving conversions from residential to commercial use would set a precedent and reduce the town’s limited housing stock: "I do have concern about taking residential property and converting it to to commercial property even if it's temporary," the participant said. Brandon Lawson, representing the seller and buyer as a realtor, described the area around the property as mixed-use and told the board the alley behind the property is town-owned gravel that stops at the property line.

Board members discussed whether the application met the variance criteria—public safety, effect on adjacent property values and uses, and whether a hardship arises from circumstances peculiar to the property—and concluded that some findings needed further development. Lisa, a town staff member, said the staff will add the negative findings of fact and the application to next month’s agenda for formal acceptance. No final vote on the variance was taken at this meeting.