07-23-2014 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS, INC. 4800 Olson Memorial Highway, Suite 202, Golden Valley, MN 65422 Telephone: 703,231 .2555 Facsimile: 763.231 .2561 planners@nacplanning.com MEMORANDUM TO: Little Canada Planning Commission FROM: Stephen Grittman DATE: July 3, 2014 RE: Little Canada — Home Occupation Ordinance FILE NO: 758.10 — 14.07 Background and Analysis In the June planning application cycle, the City considered an application for a Special Home Occupation Permit for a person operating a home-based office who sought to employ a non-resident to assist in the business operation. The zoning ordinance requires that any home occupation employing a non-resident employee requires approval of a special home occupation permit, whereas home offices are permitted home occupations without separate city review. The home occupation ordinance is intended to accommodate limited home-based business activities where the business can be conducted without disruption to the residential character of the neighborhood, and where the nature of the home-based businesses are a part of traditional neighborhood development. The ordinance's other purpose is to provide a general protection for the City's businesses that undertake the additional expenses (including land and/or rent costs, property taxes, site and building improvements, etc.) of locating in commercial districts. It was noted during the recent application that some cities accommodate non-resident employees for home occupations in various ways. As does Little Canada, many communities require a special permit. For other cities, one non-resident employee is part of the permitted home occupation category, requiring no specific city approval. There are also a few communities that permit no non-resident employees, although this is a minority of codes. The City Council asked the staff and Planning Commission to discuss the ordinance, and consider whether any changes should be considered. 1