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ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION <br />MINUTES FOR DECEMBER 15,1997 <br />(#2 Variance Report, Continued) <br />Hawn asked if the Commissioners could arrive to the meetings with a list of items that they are <br />ready to approve Gaffron noted that the Council has a consent agenda. Schroeder felt that was <br />not possible as the Commission is not always aware of what will be controversial. Lindquist <br />suggested continuing in the same manner as currently exists. <br />Schroeder said with respect to hardships, he believes remuneration is important. He noted the <br />difficulty for applicants to state the hardship. Gaffron agreed that the applicant does not always <br />know what is the hardship. <br />(#4) SIC INVENTORY <br />Bressler said the business inventory was a study of the businesses in Orono based on standard <br />industrial codes (SICs) and are shown by zoning district The information is based on 1996 <br />information. <br />Lindquist questioned whether the inventory includes all businesses. Van Zomeren said she did <br />not know. Bressler said agricultural uses are not listed and some of the businesses have gone <br />out of business. <br />Smith noted the number of people working from home. <br />Gaffron asked what source was used in gathering the information. Bressler said he used a listing <br />of businesses registered with the state found in the library. This did present a problem as the <br />businesses are listed by zip codes and Orono Coes not have its own zip code. <br />Van Zomeren said the list shows the creativity of the residents and the vast number of businesses <br />in the City. <br />Gaffron asked if there was a way by vvriich io total the number of employees in the City for <br />comparison with Met Council figures. Van Zomeren noted the difficulty in obtaining sound <br />calculations but the information could be used for Comprehensive Plan update. <br />(#5) HOME OCCUPATION <br />Hawn asked if the ordinance as written would ban Bed & Breakfasts in Orono. Gaffron said the <br />code would not allow it as it is not listed It would require a code amendment to be included. <br />Van Zomeren said the ordinance is written restrictively. She reviewed the definition as written of <br />home occupation The use is associated with the dwelling, which allows for discretion. The non­ <br />resident employee presents a correlation with coming to the site to work The definition shows <br />what impact is created by the home occupation and not by numbers. The ordinance requires that <br />the person conducting business at the home lives there <br />Smith said she favored the wording, "for gain". Van Zomeren said she found simplicity is the best <br />form to use.