Two men received zoning permission to begin businesses at their residences.
During its Oct. 9 meeting, the Wayne County Board of Zoning Appeals approved variances that enable Elam Zook Jr. to repair construction and small equipment and Ivan Glick to build custom hardwood furniture on agriculturally zoned properties. Zook’s business will be on Charles Road west of Economy, and Glick will have his business on Flatley Road southeast of Williamsburg.
Zook received a variance of use to permit the business and a variance from development standards for a new 40-foot-by-60-foot building and a small sign. He performed repairs for family members and the work load grew into a business, necessitating a building larger than his 20-by-24 garage, Zook said.
The variance provides for an outdoors display area for small power equipment, such as trimmers or mowers, that he plans to sell and an area to store equipment that’s either waiting for repair or has been repaired. The business hours were approved for 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Zook, although he doesn’t expect to hire help, could have two employees.
During the public hearing, Zook’s wife, Sally, said it would be nice for her and their children to have him working at home.
Glick, who is planning to move to the Flatley Road location, said he mostly makes tables and chairs.
Neighbor Cindy Johnson raved about his craftsmanship.
“This is a huge asset to our community,” she said. “The work that he does is phenomenal.”
After discussion about noise impacting nearby homes on Flatley and Pleasant Plain roads, Glick was approved for business hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. He does not expect to have any employees.
The business will use an existing barn as the workshop and an existing detached garage for storage and for the ordering and pickup of furniture.
A version of this article appeared in the October 15 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.