Agenda - Planning Commission - 02/06/2014

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Regular Planning Commission 5. 5. Meeting Date: 02/06/2014 By: Chris Anderson, Community Development Information Title: Discuss and Consider Potential Amendments to City Code Section 117-351 (Home Occupations) Purpose/Background: The purpose of this case is to establish a set of guiding principles in order to prepare an ordinance to amend the City's Home Occupation regulations. As the Planning Commission will recall, the topic of Home Occupations was briefly discussed at the January meeting. Late in 2013, the City Council requested that the topic of Home Occupations be scheduled for a future City Council Work Session. This was the result of concerns that have been raised in response to previous Home Occupation Permit reviews. Staff is looking for direction on the following standards in preparation of an ordinance and City Council Work Session review: 1. Should the City establish new standards on the number of commercial vehicles permitted per dwelling associated with a Home Occupation? 2. Should the City establish new standards on the number of pieces of commercial equipment (skid steers, trailers, mowers, etc.) permitted per dwelling associated with a Home Occupation? 3. Should the City establish new standards on the amount of outside storage/exterior evidence? 4. Should the City establish differing standards based on lot size? 5. Should the City establish different standards based on zoning district (MUSA, Rural Developing, etc.). 6. How should the City address the topic of noise standards as expressed by neighboring properties? Based on the comments received at the January meeting, the emphasis was to focus on the safety, peace and enjoyment, and aesthetics and how to better differentiate between parking of a commercial vehicle overnight versus the parking/storing of commercial vehicles related to home occupations. Additionally, Staff is providing some general background information regarding what types of home occupations are approved administratively rather than through a full review by Planning Commission and City Council. Notification: No notification is required at this time as this is for discussion purposes only. Observations/Alternatives: The Home Occupation standards were last amended in May of 2008, which resulted in a tiered review approach. Generally speaking, these tiers included (paraphrased from City Code): 1. Exempt from Permit Requirements: Certain home occupations with no on -site customers, no on -site employees, and no exterior evidence. 2. Administrative Permit Required: Small scale home occupations with a limited number of customers, limited number of on -site employees, and no exterior evidence may be able to be approved by Staff. 3. Full Permit Required: Permits that exceed the specific standards of the summarized uses above require approval by the City Council following recommendation by the Planning Commission (processed as a Conditional Use Permit).