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Duluth amends development code to allow medical offices in light‑industrial zones and approves med spa special use permit
Summary
Council amended the Unified Development Code to permit medical offices in M‑1 zoning via special use permit and granted a special use to allow a med spa/medical office at 4319 Abbotts Bridge Road, following staff and Planning Commission recommendations.
The Duluth Mayor and Council on June 8 approved an amendment to the Unified Development Code (UDC) to allow applicants to seek special use permits for medical offices in the M‑1 (Light Industrial) zoning district, and immediately considered a special use permit under the new rule for a med spa at 4319 Abbotts Bridge Road.
Margie Pozin, Director of Community Development and Engineering, told council that medical offices were not previously permitted in M‑1 either by right or by special use, meaning applicants could not be considered under a discretionary process. Pozin said allowing a special use option enables notice to neighbors, staff review of surrounding land uses, and permits council to attach conditions where appropriate. Staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval of the text amendment, saying it aligns with the Comprehensive Plan and promotes appropriate use of land and public welfare.
After the text amendment passed by unanimous vote (ordinance O2026-22), the council took up Case SU2026-001: a request by R and H General Services, LLC (applicant Rosibel Gonzalez Carpinone, owner representation Henry Leo) to operate a med spa/medical office in Building 3, Suite 5 at 4319 Abbotts Bridge Road. Staff reported the multi-building property has 136 parking spaces and the proposed med spa would require nine; office hours were described as 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and services listed include IV therapy, facials and other outpatient procedures subject to supervision by a physician. The Planning Commission recommended approval, and council approved ordinance O2026-23 granting the special use permit with conditions on a unanimous vote.
The minutes record no public opposition at the hearing. Councilmembers Park and Cummings are recorded as the mover and seconder of the motion on the special use permit; the motion carried with Park, Thomas, Doss, Graeder and Cummings recorded in the affirmative.
Council’s action changes the zoning process for medical offices in M‑1 districts by creating a discretionary review path and approves a specific med spa application subject to the conditions noted by staff.
