06-25-2001 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING October June 25, 2001 �J (Home Occupation Definitions, Continued) defined in the Zoning Chapter of the City Code, without first having obtained a license therefor from the City. Subdivision 2 reads, "Licenses will only be issued if the specific use is permitted or otherwise allowed by the Zoning Chapter, and if all conditions set forth in said Chapter are fully complied with." In 1995, language was added requiring the applicants to renew their home occupation licenses on a yearly basis. Gaffron stated under the current language, a "Home Occupation" is an occupation that is customarily associated with the use of a dwelling. Gaffron stated there are a number of residents within Orono that are involved in a wide range of home based occupations, some of which have potential impacts on the surrounding neighborhood. Gaffron noted the attached list is not an exhaustive list of the home occupations in the City. Gaffron recommended the City continue to license home occupations that may potentially impact the neighborhood and not license home occupations that are virtually "invisible" and have no impact on the neighborhood. Gaffron stated the definition of an "employed assistant" is not included in the Zoning Code. Gaffron stated to his knowledge there are two licenses which have come under some scrutiny by the City, «ith notice being given to the two licensees that their license will not be renewed this fall because they have an employed assistant who lives outside the residence. In 1998, Staff reviewed the Home Occupation standards and recommended the following language be • adopted regarding employees: "All residents of the dwelling, but not more than one (1) nonresident shall be permitted to work on the premises in connection with the home occupation. (1) Domestic employees shall not be considered employees of the home occupation. (2) A nonresident employee may include an employee, business partner, independent contractor, or any other person associated with the home occupation who does not reside in the dwelling unit and who is regularly at the home occupation." The above language was not adopted by the Council in 1998. Gaffron stated the Council should define what an employee is and what regularly at the home occupation implies. Gaffron stated there are a number businesses in the area where an employee may arrive at the home occupation in the morning, pick up supplies and a work vehicle, and spend the majority of the day away from the site. Gaffron stated the Council should look at the impacts of various employees that might be at a home occupation. Ben Meinhardt, All -Star Electric, 3585 Sixth Avenue North, addressed the City Council regarding the notice he has received stating his license will not be renewed. Meinhardt stated his business has not changed any since he first took out his license in 1986. Meinhardt stated he purchased the propem with permission to operate All -Star Electric out of a large barn located on the property. Meinhardt inquired what grounds the City is basing its denial on. Mayor Peterson inquired whether the three individuals leave their personal vehicles at his property. Meinhardt stated he has one employee who arrives early in the morning, parks his vehicle behind the barn, which is not visible to any of the neighbors, and is gone all day. • PAGE 10