Q: I am a recent graduate and on June 2nd, 1999 will be attending a public hearing with the city zoning board as I have applied for a Special Use Permit to practice Chiropractic out of my home. I live in a highly expanding area yet the closest chiropractor is 5 miles away, the rest are more than 10 miles from here. I wish to survey the neighborhoods to verify the demand that I know is there and "ask permission" to practice out of the house until the practice expands enough to require a bigger property in town. My house is set in the backwoods of a subdivision on the outskirts of town intentionally far from traffic and the practice would have to grow strictly by word of mouth. I have just acquired a sports and fitness column in the local weekly paper to educate the public and will gain some exposure as a bonus. Are there any particular questions you would recommend to put on the survey? What else would you recommend I do to prepare for the hearing? And for the Open House? A: Thanks for the e-mail. If you check within my Smart Start Book you'll find a number of surveys. The one I would focus on and consolidate is the Community Survey .. Healthcare in America found on page 47 (if you don't have it I can e-mail it to you). The purpose of this survey is to get a pulse of your community and the initial questions opens a dialogue and ends with you getting their interest in your community workshops .. their names in a database .. and making an appointment for their evaluation. Be sure now to include their e- mail addresses. Also .. determine if they are willing to help you .. where they go to chuch and if they have any civic organizations you can speak before. I had to go before the zoning commission when I first opened a practice. The zoning was manufacturing and not for a doctors office. I had no trouble. I purchased a home to convert to an office much later and the real estate person did not advise me about zoning .. the area was heavily commercial just a block away .. and when I purchased it and attempted zoning it was impossible and still is even after getting an attorney to check. Prior to my appeal .. I sent a survey to each homeowner (I don't have a copy of it) asking if they would object to a doctor's office where my house was .. and all sent it back stating no objections (I think they wanted me to spend the money to get the area rezones commercial). Nonetheless .. didn't make a dent with the planning or zoning folks. Therefore .. be prepared to be rejected. Commercial property (even a doctor's office .. by the way .. you are looking for a Variance .. special permit to work in this area) brings more cars .. demands more zoning and sign permits and has to be checked by various depts of the county as a community safety issue. So good luck. Have a Great Day Dr. M