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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />JULY 99 2025 <br />balance. He hoped that if people have issues, they would work together. He recognized that the club <br />could simply trailer the boats to the launch, and the city would then have no say in this. <br />Malone referenced the comment that the club could come in from a public access, noting that option is <br />available and the club does that on other lakes. She stated that she still has the opinion that this would <br />not qualify as a home occupation. <br />Mayor Fischer stated that he would not support the request. He stated that there really is no win/win <br />here, as he has tried for the last month to find that situation and has been unable. He stated that if they <br />approve the permit, it allows them to restrict activity on the public lake. He recognized that this is a <br />body of public water, and the City does not have the ability to restrict actions on the lake, and <br />therefore, is uncomfortable granting those types of conditions. He stated that if you simplify this, it is <br />a Special Home Occupation Permit, but this activity is not happening in the home or garage. He <br />commented that this is a pass -through where people are passing through the property and storing <br />equipment, and the homeowner does not have a role in the business. He stated that he is a part of the <br />Little Canada Historical Society, and when he showed up at 9:30 a.m. the previous day for a meeting, <br />there were only three spots available at City Hall because of the rowing team using the parking lot. He <br />believed that these are well beyond appropriate conditions for a home occupation permit. He <br />recognized that the consequence of saying no is that the club can use the lake at their free will, but <br />noted that it is a public water body. He stated that he supports participation in youth sports and team <br />sports as they provide preparation for the real world. He noted that this is not about the rowing club, <br />but the permit application in front of them. <br />Miller asked what would stop the rowing club from continuing what they are doing if this is not <br />approved. Mayor Fischer commented that he would assume that the club would no longer be able to <br />store the boats on the property and access the lake through that property, but he was unsure. <br />The Community Development Director commented that the club would no longer be able to store the <br />boats on the property, but noted that the Zoning Code allows exterior storage of recreational equipment <br />unscreened, and there is no specific cap on what can be stored on the property. He stated that there <br />would be enforcement challenges for the property. <br />The City Attorney stated that because the application has come forward, it is clear that the boats are <br />not for personal use and therefore would likely not qualify under the Code as residential property. <br />Mayor Fischer recognized that enforcement is a challenge, whether they approve or deny, as other <br />users of the lake may also be rowing. <br />The Community Development Director agreed that it would be difficult to discern whether someone on <br />the lake or parked on Edgerton is a member of the club. <br />Guiterrez referenced the recent strategic planning session where a goal was to create dynamic <br />community spaces and believed that this aligns with that goal. <br />El <br />