Grant County BZA approves special exception for Altas Plumbing owner to run small office from home with limits

The Grant County Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 2 approved a special exception allowing Altas Plumbing owner Leanne Holthouse to operate a small office out of her walkout basement, subject to conditions limiting on-site employees and addressing site and septic considerations.

Holthouse told the board her operation has three office staff and that the property’s walkout basement and a proposed driveway would accommodate them. “We have 3 office staff people… we have 30 acres,” Holthouse said, describing plans to add a short drive and parking near the walkout area.

Board members questioned septic capacity and whether new driveway traffic would run over septic laterals; staff flagged the lateral locations and asked the petitioner to coordinate with the health department and adjust the drive alignment if necessary. Staff also recommended written conditions, including a cap on on-site employees to limit neighborhood impacts and a mechanism to revoke the exception if conditions are violated.

After discussion the board voted to approve the special exception with the recommended conditions, with one member recorded as abstaining. Board staff said the special exception is tied to the owner at the property and does not automatically transfer if the property is later sold.

The board’s approval allows Holthouse to begin permitting steps but prompted staff and members to request confirmation of septic and driveway plans before heavy usage or additional employees are added.