Commission approves rezoning at 316 S. 5th to allow salon-suite redevelopment

Senior planner Daniel Humbert presented a request to rezone Lot 6, Block 31 (about 1.16 acres at 316 S. 5th Street) from Residential-3 to Urban Village Planned Development to allow an existing single-family residence to be used as a salon and aesthetic suite business. Humbert said staff found the request consistent with the downtown master plan and future land-use guidance, noted limited hours (8 a.m.–8 p.m.), low traffic impact, and recommended approval while supporting a requested variance to the 20-foot landscape buffer because the existing structure constrained compliance.

Applicant Lisa True Love described a plan to convert the property into upscale salon suites called True Love Aesthetics and Suites to provide private workspaces for local licensed stylists and aestheticians and to retain local business revenue. "My vision is to transform the property into an upscale salon suites, True Love Aesthetics and Suites," she said. Commissioners asked about parking, proximity to a nearby railroad right-of-way and whether existing businesses had been operating; staff and the applicant confirmed the business model builds on existing local operators. Commissioner Altman moved to approve the rezoning and variance; Commissioner McDonald seconded and the motion passed 5–0.