Psychic's business permit denied

By JACLYN PITTS

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Jess Johnson won't be operating a psychic consulting business out of her Manassas home.

The Manassas City Council denied a special use permit for Johnson's psychic consulting business at Monday night's meeting. Johnson's business was the second home-based business to be turned down within a month's time.

In October, the council denied a special use permit for Howard Daniel, who wanted to open a home-based massage therapy business.

During the same council meeting, council members held a public hearing for Johnson's proposal, which was met with some opposition.

Residents then presented the council with a petition with 17 signatures in opposition to Johnson's business.

Many feared that having a home-based business at Johnson's house, which is at the corner of Maple Street and Centreville Road, would "chip away" at the residential nature of the neighborhood.

Johnson currently runs her business in Winchester and has been practicing, in one place or another, for 28 years.

She employs a variety of techniques, including palm reading, aromatherapy and tarot card readings.

She wants to run her business from home so she can take care of her diabetic 15-year-old son, Brandon.

About two years ago, she went before the council and was denied a permit for the same business.

Council member Steven Smith said Monday night that he was not in favor of home businesses.

"I have heard so much from citizens in opposition to this, and surely we take that into consideration," Smith said.

Smith said the area around Johnson's house is "more residential in nature," so adding a business would diminish that quality.

The council unanimously denied the application. Council member Andy Harrover was absent from the meeting.