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