When she learned someone had filed a complaint against her 29-year-old home-based art school in June, Lise Kitzman took action.

For three weeks in September, she knocked on doors and sat out front of her house, gathering signatures from parents, neighbours and passersby — 381 in all — hoping to save the garage-turned-art school that has been a part of the community for nearly three decades.

She also submitted a request for a variance to the city’s committee of adjustment since the bylaw only allows two customers or students at a time at a home-based business. Kitzman would like to continue teaching six to eight students at a time.

Apart from the petition signatures, 92 people endorsed the art school, 34 submitted support letters to the city and nine spoke in favour at a public meeting.

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