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Planning commission backs easing rules for small personal service businesses in CO district
Summary
Herndon planning staff recommended and commissioners voted 7-0 to recommend approval of ZOTA 26-04, which would remove the special-exception requirement for general personal service uses (barbershops, salons, photography studios) in the CO district to reduce costs and processing time for small businesses.
The Herndon Planning Commission on May 18 voted unanimously to recommend approval of ZOTA 26‑04, a text amendment that would allow many personal service businesses to operate by right in the commercial‑office (CO) zoning district.
Planning staff explained the change was prompted by repeated special‑exception applications for barbershops, photo studios, hairstyling and similar personal services in small office areas. Staff told commissioners the special‑exception pathway is staff‑intensive for both applicants and town personnel: the current process can cost an applicant about $1,500 upfront and requires substantial staff hours (community development roughly 50 hours; public works engineering often around 50 hours). Under the proposed ZOTA, many of these uses would qualify for a simple zoning permit with a minimal fee (staff estimated roughly $25–$50), reducing time and cost barriers for small businesses.
Vice Chair Johannes praised the change as a practical step to simplify the process and help underutilized office space convert to small business uses. Commissioners emphasized the measure aligns with the town’s strategic plan and the small business process improvement committee’s work to expand by‑right uses where appropriate.
The clerk recorded a unanimous 7‑0 roll‑call vote in favor of recommending approval; the recommendation will be forwarded to the town council for final action.
