Agenda - Council - 04/22/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO AMEND REGULATIONS REGARDING SECTION 9.11.04 (HOME OCCUPATIONS) OF THE CITY CODE; CASE OF CITY OF RAMSEY By Sylvia Frolik, Assistant Community Development Director Background: At a City Council Work Session on January 29, 2008, the City Council reviewed current regulations for Home Occupations. Following a lengthy discussion, City Staff was directed to draft an ordinance to amend the Home Occupation regulations. The intent of the amendment is to support business growth and expansion by relaxing the regulations and simplifying the permitting process to allow for business start ups in homes. Attachments: a) Proposed-ordinance b) Minutes from the January 29, 2008 City Council work session c) Draft Planning Commission meeting minutes dated April 3, 2008 Observations: The highlights of the proposed ordinance are as follows: CASE # 3 Currently, home occupations are divided into 3 categories: 1. The first category is home businesses that are not subject to permitting requirements. This category applies to low profile types of home businesses. These are defined as businesses conducted entirely by residents in the home with no outside employees; businesses that are conducted entirely by computer, mail, phone, and delivery service and the delivery service activity must be at a level generally expected in a residential neighborhood; and there is no evidence that a business is being conducted in the home. 2. The second category is the Principal Dwelling Home Occupation which is conducted by only the residents of the home in an area not to exceed 20% of the floor area of the home, and does not include any attached or detached garages or accessory buildings. Again, there should be no exterior evidence that a business is being carried on in the home. This type of permit will allow the Permittee to invite clients and customers to the home provided off-street parking can be accommodated in the driveway. Retails sales are restricted to products that are accessory to the Home Occupation use. 3 The third category is Accessory Structure Home Occupations. This permit provides the opportunity to issue permits for home businesses to be conducted in garages or accessory buildings by more than just the residents of the home on the property. Some of the more significant conditions attached to this category include: a) the parcel on which the home and accessory building are located must be at least 3 acres in size; b) the number of non - resident employees allowed ranges from 1 to 3, based on parcel size. Home Occupation Permits would be issued administratively by staff if the proposal complies with all of the established criteria.