Commissioners approve special-use permit for personal-service business with five-chair limit
March 04, 2024 | Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan
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At the meeting, commissioners approved a special-use permit allowing a personal-service (cosmetology) business to operate in an existing building, with a stipulation that the business be limited to no more than five chairs.
The decision followed a presentation by the property owners, who said they bought the building about four years ago and do not intend to expand operations. "We're not trying to expand or anything," one presenter said, noting the salon would operate by appointment and typically be a single operator with occasional backup.
Administrative staff clarified zoning implications: the unclassified special-use designation would be specific to a personal-service establishment and could include restrictions the commission imposes. "It would be specific to a personal-service establishment with any of the restrictions or limitations that this board would place on it," the administrator said, explaining the designation would run with the land unless the board set conditions.
Commissioners discussed whether the permit should extinguish on sale of the property and whether numeric limits on chairs or employees were needed. After debate about future owners and the practical impact of limits, one commissioner proposed a maximum of five chairs as a compromise to allow occasional backup staff without opening the site to larger operation. "Why would we keep her from making money?" one commissioner asked while supporting a modest numerical cap.
Commissioner (Speaker 3) moved to approve the permit with a stipulation of no more than five chairs; Commissioner (Speaker 6) supported the motion. The Chair called for a voice vote and the motion carried.
The commission did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; the action was approved by voice vote and includes the five-chair condition. The applicants indicated they accept conditions the board might place on the permit.
The meeting then moved on to the administrator's report.
The decision followed a presentation by the property owners, who said they bought the building about four years ago and do not intend to expand operations. "We're not trying to expand or anything," one presenter said, noting the salon would operate by appointment and typically be a single operator with occasional backup.
Administrative staff clarified zoning implications: the unclassified special-use designation would be specific to a personal-service establishment and could include restrictions the commission imposes. "It would be specific to a personal-service establishment with any of the restrictions or limitations that this board would place on it," the administrator said, explaining the designation would run with the land unless the board set conditions.
Commissioners discussed whether the permit should extinguish on sale of the property and whether numeric limits on chairs or employees were needed. After debate about future owners and the practical impact of limits, one commissioner proposed a maximum of five chairs as a compromise to allow occasional backup staff without opening the site to larger operation. "Why would we keep her from making money?" one commissioner asked while supporting a modest numerical cap.
Commissioner (Speaker 3) moved to approve the permit with a stipulation of no more than five chairs; Commissioner (Speaker 6) supported the motion. The Chair called for a voice vote and the motion carried.
The commission did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; the action was approved by voice vote and includes the five-chair condition. The applicants indicated they accept conditions the board might place on the permit.
The meeting then moved on to the administrator's report.
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