The Homewood Village Board approved two special-use permits at the Nov. 25 meeting that will allow a salon suite business on Martin Avenue and a new fitness center on Harwood Avenue to open in the downtown area.
Trustees approved a request from 23-year-old Jaya Pittman, owner of House of Glam, to operate salon suites inside a three-story mixed-use building at 18110 Martin Ave. The 2,000-square-foot space was previously occupied by a massage therapy center, Homewood Director of Economic and Community Development Angela Mesaros said.
“There are multiple reasons why Homewood is an ideal town for my salon suites, like the location, transit advantages, and a diverse business and resident base,” Pittman said.
Various services will be offered at the salon, including waxes and nail services, plus facials and eyelash extensions, and more, Pittman said.
The business will include seven private suites leased by independent stylists, along with shared restrooms, storage and laundry space. The salon will operate by appointments, with customer service between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pittman anticipates between seven and eight total employees, though only four to five stylists and workers are expected to be present during peak hours.
According to Mesaros, because salon uses require special-use approval in the B-2 Downtown Transition zoning district, the project underwent zoning review. Commissioners voted 4-2 in favor of the request on Nov. 13. Members who voted against the permit cited concerns about the number of salons in the downtown area. Supporters said the applicant submitted a thorough proposal and addressed the special-use standards.
The building, which includes 16 residential units above commercial space, has 48 parking spaces. Although current zoning requires 54 spaces, the lot is considered legal non-conforming because it predates updated parking rules. A similar salon-suite operation in the same building received board approval on Nov. 11, Mesaros said.
The board also approved a special-use permit for a fitness center at 18065 Harwood Ave., in a commercial space formerly occupied by Suzie’s Hallmark Shop. The applicant, Phillip Glapion, is under contract to purchase the property, Mesaros said.
Plans call for a gym floor with strength and cardio equipment, a training area, and a studio for yoga, martial arts and other group classes. The lower level of the building will be used for locker rooms, with the potential for a sauna or steam room in the future. The center is expected to operate from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on a membership model, she said.
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval. The chairperson abstained from the vote since he currently owns the property. Commissioners also recommended that the applicant provide a security plan due to the basement-level access for the assembly space. Indoor commercial assembly uses require special-use approval in the B-1 Downtown Core zoning district, Mesaros said.
