City plan commission gives favorable recommendation for catering business

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Jake Stice has filed for a tax number, obtained insurance and is going to apply for ServSafe certification.

Before he moves forward with Jackson County Health Department approval to start a catering business, Amazing Graze, Stice has to request a land use variance to run the business out of an existing garage at 606 W. Seventh St., Seymour. It’s currently zoned R-1 (single-family residential) and would go to C-2 (general commercial).

During a recent meeting, the Seymour Plan Commission gave a favorable recommendation on a 9-0 vote. Rick Schleibaum and Gary Colglazier were absent.

The final vote will come from the Seymour Board of Zoning Appeals during its meeting at 7 p.m. July 27.

If approved, Amazing Grace will sell charcuterie, cheese, fruit and vegetable boards and boxes.

Stice told the plan commission he has been in touch with the health department and was told he needs a three-bay sink, a wash sink, a mop sink and cleanable surfaces, and the garage has to be closed off from the house.

First, though, he needed the land use variance from the city.

"They are just looking for me to do the right steps, and this was No. 1," Stice said. "I’m on track. It’s just this is Step 1."

Seymour Building Commissioner Jeremy Gray said the health department has different rules and regulations than the city.

"(The health department) gave me plenty of good information and advice and what I need to do, and I’ve got a blueprint that needs to be presented to them," Stice said. "I’m just waiting on sinks to get here before I make all of the final blueprint adjustments, and if it matches, I’m OK to open as long as you guys approve me."

Commission member Dave Eggers asked Gray why a variance was needed.

Gray said if Stice is going to prepare and deliver food from his garage, that’s a commercial business. With a variance, if Stice decides to close the business at some point, the zoning will go back to residential.

"There will be no cooking. It’s all prep work," Stice said. "There will be no foot traffic. The garage is on an alley, so no blocking the alley with no catering trucks. I’ll be doing all of the delivering to customers at their home or wherever they have (their event or pickup). No signage. It’s really cut and dry, pretty simple."

Commission member Mark Hays said the health department forwarded a letter it had received from someone against Stice’s proposal, but it was not signed. 

"I personally have issues when people won’t sign their name or won’t voice an opinion," Hays said. "I’m not going to hold much case with this letter."

Gray agreed, saying his office didn’t field any calls or complaints. No one attended Thursday’s meeting to speak in favor of or against the variance.

The plan commission then voted on the matter and gave a favorable recommendation.

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What: Seymour Board of Zoning Appeals meeting

When: 7 p.m. July 27

Where: Training room upstairs at the Seymour Police Department, 205 N. Ewing St., Seymour

Who: Open to the public and press

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