Ramsey Resident - 2009 - July/August

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~ Development City Revises Home Occupation Regulations On May 13, City Council adopted new regulations for home oc- cupations that simplify the permitting process and produce a more hospita- ble environment for small businesses. The new regulations still exempt the very low profile businesses from the permit requirement. A new category of home occupation was defined and businesses complying with the estab- lished criteria are eligible for a permit issued administratively by city staff. Previously, all home occupations outside the realm of 'low profile' were subject to a public hearing and review by the Planning Commission and final decision by City Council. Home occupation proposals propos- ing to operate outside the parameters of the new criteria have the option to go before the Planning Commission and City Council for a permit. The following is a brief sum- mary of the guidelines for low profile types of home businesses that are exempt from permit requirements: business activity conducted in the home only and con- suming no more than 20% of the floor area of the home all employees of the business reside in the home on the property Reminder to all residents uti- lizing septic systems . . . tanks must be pumped every three (3) years. City Code 8.30 Sewage Disposal Systems states: Each owner of property con- taining an Individual Sewage Treatment System shall pump each tanl(( s) at an interval not no services provided to public on the site; all activity conducted by mail, phone, and/or computer The second category requires a Home Occupation Permit that is issued administratively by city staff without the need to go before the Planning Commission or City Coun- cil. Some of the criteria for this level of home business include, but are not limited to, the following: business activity may be con- ducted in the home, but may not exceed 20% of the floor area of the home business activity may be conducted in the garage or accessory building, provided at least 400 square feet of garage space is retained for parl(ing and storage inciden- tal to the residential use of the property for parcels less than three (3) acres in size, the owner of the business may employ one (1) person that does not live in the home for parcels three (3) acres or greater in size, the owner of the business may employ up Septic Tank Pumping exceeding three years. Further information can be obtained from the University of Min- nesota Extension Service at http://septic.umn.edu. They have prepared an informational pacl(et entitled, "A Septic System Owners Guide". This document includes a worksheet for determining cleaning to three (3) persons that do not live in the home services may be provided to the public on site retail sales are permitted if they are ancillary to the home occupation (a hair salon would be allowed to sell hair care products activity shall not generate excessive vehicular traffic (16 vehicle trips per 24 hour period) Additional criteria for both categories described above include: no outdoor storage or signs activity shall not constitute a fire hazard, or nuisance because of light glare, noise, odors, vibration, etc. activity shall not include operations relating to internal combustion engines, body shops, ammunition manufac- turing, vehicle repair or sales The above descriptions are a summary and should not be consid- ered all inclusive. For a copy of the new ordinance or more information, please contact JoAnn Shaw, Com- munity Development Secretary at 763-433-9824. frequency based on your system's specific design and your family's us- age of water. If you have any further ques- tions, please contact Steve Lutmer at 763-433-9812 or e-mail at slutmer@ C1.ramsey.mn.us. 6 www.ci.ramsey.mn.us