Stone and Sage, a holistic healing center that recently moved to the historic Dr. John Baker home on North Walnut Street, was approved for a conditional use by Milford City Council at a recent meeting. The conditional use will allow owner Amy “Cat” Perfetti to operate her holistic healing business from the location.
“This property is located at 206 North Walnut Street,” City Planner Rob Pierce said. “The applicant converted a 1,388 square foot existing dwelling into a major home occupation for a wellness business. Code enforcement issued a violation for the unlawful business in September 2025. City code states a major home occupation may be permitted upon conditional use approval.”
According to Pierce, Perfetti submitted the conditional use application, but some of the features did not comply and required variances from the Board of Adjustments. The Board of Adjustments reviewed the requests and approved all but one sign request due to size.
“This property is a single-family home, and it was previously used as a doctor’s office,” Perfetti said. “I have relocated my existing wellness business, Stone and Sage Holistic Healing Center, from its previous location at 37 North Walnut Street to this home address. The business is operated out of a dedicated addition to the residence that was existing. The request is to continue operation under the guidelines of a major home occupation with conditional use approval. This business is a continuation of a similar low impact professional use in that historic building. So, it was previously used as a healing center as well and is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood character.”
Councilman Jason James questioned a staff comment that the parking area can accommodate parking for eight vehicles, but it could require vehicle stacking, asking if there was a resolution to that issue. Pierce stated that the city usually did not require home occupations to put in a commercial parking lot.
“I believe Ms. Perfetti stated to the Board of Adjustments that there is parking in front of the property and there is a public parking lot less than half a block away,” Pierce said. “It was just something that needed to be stated and evaluated.”
Perfetti explained they were planning on paving an additional section once the weather cleared to add more parking. A public hearing was held for the request with one person speaking during the hearing.
“At the Planning Commission, what I thought I understood was that the other address on Walnut Street was still open and it would be receiving any business deliveries” Julie Morris, who gave an address on Cedar Beach Road, said. “Therefore, this home wouldn’t receive any deliveries. But then, I think I just heard her say that that business was shut down and it was moved completely here. So, I just wanted clarification on that, because if deliveries are going to be going to this address, how does that impact the neighbors?”
Perfetti’s retail store, Stone and Sage, moved from 14 Southeast Front Street to 37 North Walnut Street last year. Councilman Dan Marabello asked Perfetti to respond to the delivery question as well as if any neighbors had complained about the new location.
“I haven’t had any issues with the neighbors at the new location, and the 37 North Walnut Street location is still open six days a week,” Perfetti said. “All deliveries are sent to that address.”
A roll call vote was taken since the matter was a land issue. Councilman Dan Marabello voted yes as there as no adverse action for the neighbors and it was a professional home before. Councilwoman Nadia Zychal voted yes as it was providing a “lovely service, and it was previously a doctor’s office.”
“I vote yes based on the fact that this was previously a home occupation and based on the variances approved by the Board of Adjustments,” Councilman Jason James said. “This is an opportunity for a growing business.”
Councilwoman Katrina Wilson also voted yes.
“It was already an established business many, many years ago,” Wilson said. “I went to see Dr. Baker and I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for people who open businesses here to have their business booming in the city.”
Councilwomen Madula Kalesis and Lori Connor along with Councilman Michael Stewart voted yes for reasons stated previously. The measure passed with a vote of 7 to 0 as Councilman Danny Perez was absent.
