By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

Due to zoning, Jennifer Hendrix has decided not to open her Mind Crafting Institute and its MC Yoga and Education Studio in Madison.
“Evidently it’s in the same category as karate and dance even though it’s nothing like that,” she said. “I’ve decided not to pursue a zoning change.”
The chosen location at 202 W. Washington St. is zoned C-1. Studios for work or the teaching of fine arts, photography, music, drama, dance and martial arts are prohibited in areas zoned C-1.
Madison Planning Director Monica Callahan explained that yoga and the proposed educational classes to be held at the institute and its studio fall under the last three areas of drama, dance and martial arts.
Hendrix said she plans on hosting some workshops and individual classes offsite four or five times a month.
“There’s nothing definite right now,” she said.
When applying for a business license, as it is informally called, or an occupational tax certificate, as it is officially called, those in the city’s Planning Office conduct a couple of checks.
For the first check either Callahan or Madison City Planner Bryce Jaeck looks into the zone where the business will go. The application for the institute did not pass this first check.
“If they want to stay where they signed the lease, they’d need a text amendment,” she said. She added that the proposed institute could go in either the C-2 or the C-3 zones without requiring a text amendment.
The text amendment process takes between 45 and 60 days, depending on when the applicant begins the process.
For Hendrix, this meant that her request might not be approved until April, she said.
“And it might not even change then,” she added. “I’ve heard it’s not any fun and it’s not guaranteed.”
Callahan urged those interested in opening a business in Madison to begin by contacting Ashley Hawk, the city’s business services specialist.
Hawk said she will provide a packet of information and answer any questions applicants may have. She added that they also offer a notary as a public service.
Once Hawk has the completed packet she looks it over and submits it to the city’s planning office.
Turn-around time between dropping off a completed packet to hearing back from the city varies.
Hendrix turned in her packet the last week of December and heard back the first week of January, Hawk said.

Printed in the January 10, 2013