Commission grants permit for residential/commercial use in city

The city of Medford made quick work Monday night of approving a conditional use permit to allow a business move in the downtown.

Commission members approved a conditional use permit for the former location of the Borealis Wellness Clinic at 115 E. Perkins St. in Medford to allow a portion of the building to be used as a residence for a business owner who will be renting the structure. The building is zoned for commercial use and while less than a block from Main Street is adjacent to existing residential properties.

The building is owned by Sam Klinner and will be rented to Stacey Kilty.

According to city planner Bob Christensen, Kilty plans to move her beauty salon to a portion of the building and remodel another portion to serve as her residence.

Kilty owns Encore Hair Studio, which is currently located at 132 S. Main St. She told commission members that it is her intent to sell her existing building when she moves the salon into the Perkins St. location. She said she would be listing it for sale in the next month.

Conditional use permits require a public hearing with notifications sent to property owners within 200 feet of the parcel. Other than Kilty, there were no community members present for the public hearing and Christensen said he had received no concerns about the proposed change.

Christensen noted the Perkins St. building has been used as a Chiropractic office for more than 40 years. He explained that there would be some additional permitting needed as it is converted to become a salon, but he said that would begin after the conditional use was approved.

“I would recommend we [grant the conditional use permit],” Christensen said.

Commission members agreed and unanimously approved the conditional use permit.