A few years ago, I went through the process of getting approval from the city to teach small classes in my art studio. You'd think this would be easy, right?
A couple of neighbors who were good friends had asked me to teach their kids. Actually, one little boy had such a great desire that I gave him a birthday gift certificate for 2 lessons. He wanted to bring his friends, and soon I regularly had
kids riding their bicycles to art lessons! This was something I knew I wasn't zoned for in my little residential neighborhood - and I wanted to be completely above board, so I went to the municipal offices downtown to see what it would take to be "legal."
The process is pretty involved - and a bit costly. There are fees involved, every neighbor within a certain radius gets a registered letter asking if they have any objections, and then a hearing is set with the Brentwood Board of Zoning Appeals. This took months.
I showed up for my scheduled hearing on a sunny spring day and stood before that panel of board members to plead my case. I explained what was already happening, and they asked lots of questions. After conferring, they said, "We always want to have this kind of education available in Brentwood. You have our approval forever to teach art in your studio."
Wow.
The photo below is what I saw in the sky when I came out of that meeting.
Now, is it my imagination, but does this look like God is giving me "two thumbs up?"
Elaine Allen
A couple of neighbors who were good friends had asked me to teach their kids. Actually, one little boy had such a great desire that I gave him a birthday gift certificate for 2 lessons. He wanted to bring his friends, and soon I regularly had
kids riding their bicycles to art lessons! This was something I knew I wasn't zoned for in my little residential neighborhood - and I wanted to be completely above board, so I went to the municipal offices downtown to see what it would take to be "legal."
The process is pretty involved - and a bit costly. There are fees involved, every neighbor within a certain radius gets a registered letter asking if they have any objections, and then a hearing is set with the Brentwood Board of Zoning Appeals. This took months.
I showed up for my scheduled hearing on a sunny spring day and stood before that panel of board members to plead my case. I explained what was already happening, and they asked lots of questions. After conferring, they said, "We always want to have this kind of education available in Brentwood. You have our approval forever to teach art in your studio."
Wow.
The photo below is what I saw in the sky when I came out of that meeting.
Now, is it my imagination, but does this look like God is giving me "two thumbs up?"
Elaine Allen