Houston County approves multiple special-exception permits for home-based businesses, tables three

The Houston County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 4 approved a slate of special-exception permits allowing several residents to operate home-based businesses, and tabled three other applications after a public hearing.

Building Inspection & Planning/Zoning Assistant Rebecca Kidd presented applications #2820 through #2831 and recommended approvals and tablings based on the Zoning & Appeals and staff reports. The board approved applications including #2820 (Stanley Johnson Jr., apparel & vinyl print), #2821 (Jeremy Yuill, kids entertainment), #2823 (Jeffrey Lake & Megan Norman, landscaping), #2824 (Andrea Brasier, artwork & writing), #2827 (Trenton & Juamona Simmons, medical case management), #2828 (Kaleb Turner, land clearing & dirt work), #2829 (Andy & Lynn Moss, hair salon) and #2830 (Grayland & Tatiana Allen, graphic design). The board tabled #2817, #2825 and #2826.

Kidd told applicants that approval by the Board does not override private neighborhood covenants: “Even if the Board of Commissioners approves an application, neighborhood covenants may still impose certain restrictions upon or against home businesses,” she said. Approved applicants were also reminded that the next step is to apply for a business license at the Commissioners’ Office.

Opposition was registered in one hearing (application #2825) by Bill Curtis and Vicki Tucker, who spoke against that application. The board’s action incorporated stipulations noted on the Zoning & Appeals recommendation and Section 95 staff report. Planning and Zoning Director Tim Andrews said a new sign would be posted on properties that were returned to the Zoning and Appeals Board for re-hearing.