07-09-2025 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 • Exterior Storage: The applicant is requesting to store rowing shells and related equipment outdoors. Standard home occupations do not allow exterior storage of materials or equipment. At the Council’s direction, staff has removed the previously recommended condition requiring screening of the stored items. • Exterior Activity: The applicant proposes to conduct the home occupation entirely outdoors, including assembling participants and launching onto Lake Gervais, rather than operating within the principal structure as typically required for home occupations. • Group Instruction: The request seeks to allow up to 25 individuals on the property at one time in connection with the occupation. Standard home occupations are limited to one pupil at a time. • Parking: The applicant is requesting to allow participant parking off-site at the Little Canada City Center parking lot. Under a standard home occupation, all parking must be accommodated on the property. • Non-Resident Employees: The applicant requests permission for two coaches who do not reside on the property to assist with the home occupation. Standard home occupations do not allow for non-resident employees. CODE CRITERIA Councilors frequently raised the question of authority and jurisdiction on this matter to approve, deny, or modify the specifics of the request. As a reminder, the City Code grants the City Council broad discretion to "impose such conditions on the granting of a special home occupation permit as may be necessary to carry out the purpose and provisions of this subdivision." The purpose statement for the Home Occupation regulations is as follows: "To prevent competition with business districts and to provide a means, through the establishment of specific standards and procedures, by which home occupations can be conducted in residential neighborhoods without jeopardizing the health, safety, and general welfare of the surrounding neighborhood." Staff interprets this purpose statement as emphasizing the importance of maintaining compatibility with the surrounding residential character and protecting the general well-being of nearby properties. In applying this standard, the City Council has full authority to approve, deny, or modify individual elements of a request as needed to preserve compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood. RECOMMENDATION #1 - REVISED CONDITIONS Should the City Council choose to approve the Special Home Occupation Permit, staff recommends the following conditions be included: General Conditions 1. The applicant must comply with all home occupation standards as outlined in the City of Little Canada Zoning Code, except where specifically exempted by this permit.