The Town Council has approved the zoning amendments that will allow a Fountain Hills business to continue operating as it has been at a location on Saguaro Boulevard.

The council voted unanimously at its Feb. 19 session to allow residential use within the C-O, or commercial office, zoning district with a special use permit. That was followed with a second approval for a special use permit for the International Center of Education for the Advancement of Silicone Prosthetics, 16857 E. Saguaro Blvd.

Vice Mayor Art Tolis said the zoning adjustment is consistent with the town’s efforts to allow mixed use development combining business and residential.

While the Zoning Ordinance did not allow for residential use within the C-O designation, the ordinance does consider them compatible, according to staff.

“The intent of this district [C-O] is to integrate limited commercial activity and professional offices on the small lot and common parking lot scheme with residential land uses in a climate favorable to both,” the ordinance states. “Particular attention is to be paid to the interface between commercial or professional uses and the residential uses within the same neighborhood.”

The occupant of the building was using a second floor residence, which was created prior to their moving in. While the owner does not live in the building permanently, they use the residential suite to stay with patients while working with them as they receive new prosthetics.

The business provides for “prosthetic education workshops, training and silicone prosthetics are molded and manufactured for individual patients.”

The applicant states that the livable space on the second floor was created prior to the current owner occupying the building, but they call the livable area essential to patient use.

The current owner did not know the conversion to living space was done without town approval, and was attempting to rectify that situation with this zoning request.

It was brought to staff’s attention last year that someone was living at the building and officials investigated. The occupant was told they could not live on the premises. It was at that point they began working with the town to resolve the issue.