03-18-2002 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Il MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, February 19, 2002 6:30 o ’clock p.m. (#2333 Proposed Zoning Code Amendment - Home Occupations, Continued) Gaffron stated the way the ordinance is currently written, ail home occupations would need to be brought into conformance within a year of its adoption. Gaflron stated the legislature has basically taken away the City’s ability to eliminate non-conforming uses by “amortization". Hawn inquired whether the issue of dispatching within the City is currently a problem. Gaflron stated the typical situation with a contractor is where they all show up at the residence and then leave for the job site in the morning and are gone all day. Gaffron stated technically that could be considered a dispatch center. Kluth pointed out the number of employees is covered in the ordinance. Kluth stated the language in Section 10.63 sort of implies that a dispatch center could operate out of a residence. Gaffron stated a business could also have off-site employees without operating as a dispatch center since they do not come to the residence. Hawn inquired whether a messenger or delivery service would be considered a dispatch center. Kluth stated in his view there are a number of conditions in the ordinance that would help prevent excessive noise and traflic. Mabusth stated the concern is how to deal with a property owner when the use becomes excessive. Gaffron suggested making that type of business licensed to allow for more periodic review by the City. Hawn stated when this issue was first looked at back in 1998, it became clear there were a number of existing businesses operating out of houses that w ere operating without licenses. Hawn stated this ordinance provides some standards for how those businesses should be operated. Rahn stated in his view there should be some type of language to deal with a situation that might not be covered under this ordinance. Smith stated the conditional use permit would allow additional standards to be imposed if needed. Hawn stated the Planning Commission needs to give some direction to Staff on whether additional language should be added to the ordinance. Mabusth stated there should be some language in the ordinance that gives the City the ability to deal w ith certain e.xemptions. Mabusth stated in her view she would prefer a license rather than a conditional use permit, and questioned w hether it should be considered a special use license or entitled something else. Mabusth suggested Staff consult with the City Attorney on the best method to utilize. Gaffron stated one other issue that he had some questions concerning relate to Item R, “any activity or event organized for the purpose of displaying or selling merchandise shall not be held more than four times per month GafTron stated there was once a situation in Crystal Bay where a resident was holding PAGE 6