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Planning Manager Larson explained that the home based church would be turning the home into <br /> some other use altogether. He noted that people can have their friends over to practice religion <br /> together as long as it is not an organized church. <br /> Councilmember Howell stated that she knows someone who volunteers to teach kids once a week <br /> out of his home. She added that she can see not allowing schools for profit to run out of homes; <br /> however, people getting together to learn or volunteer together should not be restricted. <br /> Planning Manager Larson noted that if it is volunteering and not a business then it would not be a <br /> home occupation. <br /> Mayor Kuzma stated that it would become a problem when someone applies for a tax exempt <br /> status and uses their home as the official address. <br /> Councilmember Woestehoff related this to someone having friends over to their home and drinking <br /> versus someone wanting to run a bar out of their home,the first is acceptable but the second creates <br /> the problem. <br /> Councilmember Specht stated that churches met in homes during COVID.He noted that the church <br /> still had its building but was meeting at different homes because of the times. He stated that they <br /> need to put some kind of caveats to this. <br /> Planning Manager Larson said this would get very messy to try to write something about this; <br /> however, if they just leave it out and people have home churches or bible studies in their homes <br /> and they are not disturbing the neighbors then the City won't know about it. He stated that there is <br /> always the option for a special event permit if a church is hosting a service in someone's home. <br /> City Attorney Knaak stated that this is getting into a gray area. He shared concerns with directly <br /> calling out religious gatherings as this can run into constitutional issues. He noted that these <br /> religious gatherings would likely be sporadic and incidental and he believes this should be allowed. <br /> Councilmember Howell agreed that the City should stay out of the way of these religious <br /> gatherings. She noted that there also do not seem to be existing problems with this. <br /> City Attorney Knaak stated that education is another circumstance where the City would not want <br /> to be involved in. He explained that if someone is homeschooling their children as well as children <br /> from other families then he would not want to get involved with this unless it is causing issues. <br /> Councilmember Specht asked how they write this so that future Councils and Staff would know <br /> how to follow this. <br /> City Attorney Knaak stated that the Staff the City has is very well trained. He said that he does not <br /> think that they have to worry about continuity on this issue. <br /> Mayor Kuzma asked if the Council was in agreement with the current wording. <br /> City Council Work Session / October 10, 2023 <br /> Page 7 of 11 <br />