Planning and Zoning Commission recommends conditional use for home-based supervised-visit center at 7526 Harrison Street

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended conditional-use approval Thursday for a home-based supervised-visit center and professional office at 7526 Harrison Street in Forest Park.

Lisette, the applicant and an attorney who said she conducts guardian-ad-litem work, told commissioners she plans to run court-ordered supervised visits in her fully renovated single-family home with staggered appointments, three separate playrooms and on-site supervisors. “We will have security, staggered appointments,” she said, adding visits would be conducted under court order and families would not mix.

Commissioners and planning staff questioned safety, parking and how the operation fits home-occupation rules. Planning staff member Steve said the house was remodeled to the 2009 code with interconnected smoke detectors and had passed inspections, and he described the overall life-safety risk as low if staff are trained and basic precautions are followed. He recommended an egress map and other modest wayfinding measures rather than full commercial retrofits.

The commission’s motion — presented by a commissioner and seconded by another — recommended approval for a professional office co-located with a residence at 7526 Harrison Street, subject to compliance with Forest Park’s home-occupation provisions except subsection d2, and including a requirement that the business remain wholly within the principal building and post an egress map. Commissioners also adopted additional safety conditions during debate: emergency lighting units to illuminate means of egress and an exit sign.

Public commenter Kurt Backe, a neighbor on the 7500 block of Harrison, asked how many weekly appointments the business might generate and whether that number could grow. Lisette said she expects about 10 appointments a week initially and that full use of all three playrooms across evening hours could allow as many as roughly 15 visits a week if every slot were filled, though she said she did not expect that level immediately.

Commissioners debated whether approving this use would set a precedent for future conversions of homes to operations that invite public traffic. Planning staff and some commissioners noted the Harrison Street area already contains a mix of commercial uses and that conditional-use findings are site-specific. After a roll-call vote the motion carried; commissioners voting yes included Kevin Hibbits, Gary Bridal, Scott Whitebone and Marsha East; several members were absent.

The commission closed the public hearing on PZC2026-02 and adjourned. The recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission will be forwarded per the municipal process for any final decisions by the applicable legislative body.