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• MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION <br />TOPIC. HOME OCCUPATIONS <br />HELD JUNE 4, 1997 <br />Gaffron pointed out problems associated with large lot zoning and people who base their business <br />out of their home. Complaints have been received regarding lawn service businesses in connection <br />with noise of equipment and irregular hours of activities on the premises. Parking is also a <br />complaint. Neighbors put up with problems and do not always complain particularly if they are in <br />good stead with one another. Issues need to be dealt with regardless of complaints. The noise <br />ordinance is difficult to enforce because noise needs to be monitored on -site. <br />Smith felt the focus should be on the outside rather than inside regarding the percentage of square <br />footage to be dedicated to a business. She would object to the City measuring square footage. <br />Van Zomeren moved to the work sheet. <br />Hawn said discussion should be defined to people who live in the house rather than status of people <br />who don't live in the house. <br />Smith suggested looking at the travel perspective of partners and full time vs. part time employees. <br />Van Zomeren noted structural alterations made to the interior for business purposes could cause <br />• problems in reselling the property to future families. <br />Smith was concerned more with structural changes to the outside and additional entrances. <br />McMillan felt that minor licensing requirements be removed. A writer should not have to be <br />licensed. <br />Hawn said the person applying for a license should be a resident of the house with only 1 outside <br />employee or partner involved in the business. <br />Schroeder did not agree because of the diversity of the area. Small lots will have a greater impact. <br />Smith questioned whether 2 part time employees would be considered the same as 1 full time <br />employee. <br />McMillan felt if there would be more than 1 employee a conditional use permit would be needed. <br />Van Zomeren said use variances in the State of Minnesota are illegal so home occupation licenses <br />will not be brought in as variances. A variance is applied for when alteration to the topography of <br />the site is needed not for use purposes. An exemption from regulations is a home day care business. <br />A home operator can legally care for 10 children and with a helper provide care for 14 children. <br />•3 <br />