Agenda - Planning Commission - 08/06/2009

Home

PUBLIC HEARING REQUEST FOR A HOME OCCUPATION PERMIT; CASE OF SCOTT GRAMS By: Jessica Hendricks, Management Intern Background: CASE # . The City received an application from Scott Grams for a home occupation permit to establish a tow and recovery business in his home located at 16450 Nowthen Boulevard NW. The City received an ordinance complaint regarding the home occupation and determined that the use operated beyond the parameters allowed by an administrative home occupation permit. Notification: In accordance with State statute, Staff notified property owners within 350 feet of the subject property of the public hearing. Observations: On March 26, 2009 Scott Grams applied for an administrative home occupation permit. During that review, Staff determined this request necessitates Planning Commission and City Council approval, as the parking area for this home occupation is not screened in compliance with City Code 9.11.08. The Applicant is proposing to establish a tow and recovery business in his home. The business will provide towing, jump starts, and lockouts. These services will be provided off site. The only service that will be provided at the home is basic maintenance and light lubrication of the tow vehicles and a small amount of paperwork. The materials used for this maintenance will need to be monitored by the Fire Department. City Code Section 9.11.04 restricts home occupations to 20% of the home. The Applicant expects to conduct internet billing in one room of the home, and store the tow vehicles on the subject property. The room in which the home occupation will take place is 9'x10', which is approximately 2% of the 4,200 square foot residence. The two trucks stored on the property will be located on a parking space adjoining the north side of the primary driveway on the edge of the property. The parking space is 75' x 15',- and will need to be upgraded to class V, concrete or bituminous per City Code 9.11.08, as it pertains to off- street parking of commercial vehicles. The two trucks are one International 4300 tow truck and one Chevy 5500 tow truck. The driveway where the vehicles will be parked is not screened. City Code 9.11.08 states that commercial vehicles that are parked outside for longer than eight (8) hours must be screened to a degree of 75% at ground level view. There is adequate room to extend the parking area further back along the edge of the property, making the vehicles less visible, but would require the removal of trees. Should the Applicant choose to move the commercial vehicle no closer to the front property line than the front of the principle dwelling unit, no additional permit would be needed based on existing screening on site. Should the Applicant choose to leave the vehicle in its current location, City Council would need to approve the Home Occupation Permit as written. The Applicant expects to be the sole employee on the property, with drivers of the tow vehicles located off site. There will be no customers or clients coming to the property, nor will the recovered vehicles be stored on the property. Occasionally, employees will travel from off -site to the property to pick up the tow vehicles, but the Applicant expects that a majority of the time, he and his wife will deliver the tow 11