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Council denies special-exception request for 1212 Swift Street ultrasound boutique
Summary
After neighbors and planning staff clashed over traffic, parking and historic-district protection, Perry City Council voted unanimously to deny a special exception that would have allowed a 3D/4D ultrasound business at 1212 Swift Street.
Perry City Council on Aug. 4 denied a special-exception application that would have allowed a 3D/4D ultrasound business to operate at a residence on Swift Street. Councilmember (speaker 7) moved to deny the request; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
The applicant, Beth Van Hoose (speaker 8), told council she performs 3D/4D ultrasounds professionally and expected to run the home-based service only occasionally, mainly on Fridays and Saturdays. "I do ultrasounds for a living... it's not that fancy of a thing," Van Hoose said, arguing her large house and a soon-to-be-erected privacy fence would limit visibility and impact. She also objected to planning-commission conditions that would limit the number of cars to four and guests to 12, saying those caps were too restrictive given family visits and that the fire marshal indicated the house could hold more people.
Multiple nearby residents opposed the request during the public hearing, saying the proposal represented commercial encroachment into a small, residential historic district and would worsen parking and traffic. Mike Baker (speaker 10) and Elizabeth Baker (speaker 9) described longstanding efforts to protect Swift Street from commercial uses, saying the neighborhood's historic character and narrow streets make business activity inappropriate. "Approving this business could set a precedent for additional commercial uses that gradually change the residential and historic nature of the district," Megan Brent (speaker 11) said.
Planning staff (Miss Wharton, speaker 6) told council the planning commission recommended approval but added a condition limiting cars to four and guests to 12 to reduce neighborhood impact; staff also noted special-exception applications are not reviewed by the Historic Preservation Board. Council then voted to deny the special exception at the motion of Councilmember (speaker 7).
The denial is final for tonight; no implementing ordinance or mitigation conditions were adopted. The record shows planning staff recommended approval with conditions and that the denial reflects council judgment about compatibility with the historic residential district.
