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<br />Councilmember Strommen stated that her concern is if the intent of this ordinance change is to <br />facilitate home businesses, then she feels requiring permits for all home occupations will hinder <br />that. She stated that this does not simplify the process for low profile businesses to operate from <br />their home. She stated that she thinks there needs to be a definition of what a home occupation is <br />and what is considered low profile. She stated that she thinks of her parents who are college <br />professors and write textbooks, on the side, from home, and this would require them to get a <br />permit. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich read aloud the definition of a home occupation from Chapter 9 of the <br />City Code. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen stated that for people conducting low profile businesses, she. feels <br />this ordinance would be an impediment. She stated that her concern is that if the City starts <br />changing number of employees and number of acres required, that it is just substituting one <br />impediment for another. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that he doesn't thillk a permit should be required for the first <br />category of the current ordinance. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that Microsoft and Dell started as home businesses and the way this <br />ordinance is written people could not have a home business unless they have 3 acres. He stated <br />that with the current tough economic times, he thinks more people will be considering home <br />businesses. He stated that the Council has talked many times about being a place where people <br />can live, work and play and noted that he sees this is a way one parent can stay home with <br />children and also help supplement their income with a home business. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that he feels allowing these home businesses can help retired people also. <br />He stated that he would like to see a way for a business such as, sharpening mower blades, be <br />allowed, but not a home welding business. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey stated that he would like to relax the size of the parcel for home <br />occupations, but would like to make it clear that accessory buildings still need to comply with <br />City requirements for lot sizes. <br /> <br />Assistant Community Development Director Frolik stated that she was hearing Consensus form <br />the Council that there should not be a permit process for category one, but would like direction <br />on the number of employees allowed. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen stated that for an urban lot, 3 employees seems like a lot, but is not <br />sure it needs to be restricted to one, if people have a larger lot. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen suggested that if there is less than 5 acres, that one non-resident <br />employee be allowed and for parcels over 5 acres that two non-resident employees are allowed. <br /> <br />City Council / April 22, 2008 <br />Page 6 of 18 <br />