(8/12) At its August 10 meeting, the Walkersville Board of Appeals Committee denied a special exception permit application for a one chair barber shop.
Property renter Gabriel Alicea Rodriguez of 122 Glade Boulevard requested a special exception to operate a one chair barber shop in a single-family home in the R-2 residential zoning district.
Rodriguez is a tenant and not a property owner and a letter from the property owner was received in support of the business.
A barber chair was installed in the garage several months ago and the town code enforcement officer investigated complaints arising from an increase of traffic from the area as well as the chair being visible when the garage door is open.
A letter was sent to Rodriguez informing that town approval was needed to establish a legal business.
Rodriguez is a licensed barber by the state of Maryland and would have been the only employees for the home business.
Rodriguez is physically disabled and unable to drive and sought the barbershop as a way to work from home.
In June, the town received a letter from the Glade Towne Community Association expressing concerns about activity on the property and increases in traffic and street parking.
Rodriguez indicated he has had extensive family and friends visiting on a daily basis and there may have been some confusion of visitors.
Rodriguez said the business would be "appointment only" with one or two clients at a time.
Mary Ann Ferguson, attorney for the Glade Towne Community Association, stated the business would present a danger for pedestrian and vehicle traffic as there is no way to park on side yard, unable to fit two cars in the driveway and not enough adequate off-street parking.
The board of appeals denied the request on the grounds of the zoning ordinance conditions and requirements were not met for the minimum of three off-street parking spaces that must be provided.
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