- A request for a variance by Jennifer McConnell to function her therapeutic massage remedy enterprise from residence on Taggart Avenue NE was denied by Massillon Metropolis Council on Tuesday evening.
- Metropolis Council voted 6-2 to disclaim the variance request.
- A number of Taggart Avenue NE residents spoke out for and towards McConnell’s request throughout a public listening to Tuesday evening.
MASSILLON – Doorways have been shut Tuesday evening on a metropolis lady who wished to run her therapeutic massage remedy enterprise from residence full time.
Metropolis Council voted 6-2 to disclaim a conditional use allow for Jennifer McConnell to function her enterprise, McConnell Remedy & Therapeutic massage, at her Taggart Avenue NE residence. The vote upheld the Massillon Board of Zoning Appeals’ resolution a number of weeks in the past.
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“Our zoning legal guidelines are in place for a purpose, and that is to guard our neighborhoods,” mentioned Councilman Mark Lombardi, R-Ward 1, who voted towards the variance. “We have to again these legal guidelines and causes.”
Metropolis regulation states that allows for residence companies are granted solely for instructional, tutorial or music instruction. McConnell was briefly working therapeutic massage enterprise from residence whereas her attraction course of was ongoing.
Previous to council’s vote, McConnell made her pitch to council members to grant the variance.
“I really feel to disclaim my request would create hardship for my household,” McConnell mentioned throughout a public listening to Tuesday on the problem. “It might create far more stress in our life (as a result of private household points).”
Lawyer Stephen Eckinger, who represents McConnell, mentioned the enterprise has been in operation for 17 years and is open Tuesday by way of Friday, offering medical wants primarily by way of physician referrals. There are not any indicators exterior to promote the enterprise, and purchasers — largely ladies — common about 60 years previous.
Massillon residents on Taggart Avenue NE converse out at public assembly
About two dozen individuals attended the hour-long listening to Tuesday night. Many have been current to assist McConnell and her request to function full-time from residence. Others included neighbors lobbying Metropolis Council representatives to vote towards the variance requested by McConnell, a licensed therapeutic massage therapist.
McConnell’s enterprise was beforehand situated at Wales Street NE. In late 2022, she relocated the enterprise to her residence on Taggart Avenue, and a number of neighbors grew to become upset.
The operation was moved to McConnell’s residence partially as a result of the physician’s workplace it was situated in had closed.
“It is a more healthy surroundings at her residence,” mentioned longtime consumer Linda Miller. “She’s very caring and academic.”
Peggy Mang, a neighbor of McConnell’s, mentioned she had observed some elevated site visitors as a result of enterprise working from the house and wished it to discontinue.
“All I can say is the regulation is the regulation. And so they have damaged the regulation,” she mentioned.
Attain Steven at [email protected]. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE
