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Mounds View Planning Commission April 3, 2002 <br />Regular Meeting Page 13 <br />________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Commissioner Hegland cautioned that insurance is not necessary for some businesses. He then <br />asked why there was an issue with the court enforcing the Code. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Ericson indicated that it takes a lot of Staff work to gather <br />evidence for one case to get it to court and then there are judges who do nothing more than issue <br />a $50 suspended fine. He then said that Staff is hoping to make some changes to the Code that <br />would aid in the enforcement of the Code because residents should be assured that there will not <br />be a commercial business operating out of the house next door. He further stated that he feels <br />the City has a responsibility to its residents to step in and regulate a business if it is causing <br />issues for the neighborhood. <br /> <br />Commissioner Zwirn commented that approximately 20 years ago there were some <br />establishments that started out in their garages and basically operated a retail operation out of the <br />garage and have since grown into legitimate businesses within the City and that is why he is <br />concerned about limiting that type of use. <br /> <br />Commissioner Scotch said there are cases where there is a renter that operates a home based <br />business that has four employees and the City has no way to control that type of situation. <br /> <br />Commissioner Song indicated that as long as a business is not disturbing the neighborhood the <br />City would not need to get involved but reserves the right to do so if there becomes an issue. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Ericson indicated that if you are bothering your neighbors <br />you are in violation of the Code but that does not seem to be much of an incentive to stop. <br /> <br />Commissioner Scotch indicated there is a lawn and garden business in her area that is just <br />starting to grow that will cause issues shortly in the neighborhood. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Ericson indicated he had spoken to Commissioner Johnson <br />and he is opposed to defining a list of businesses that should be prohibited. He is also opposed to <br />the idea of prohibiting businesses in the garage but has said he does think registration or <br />licensing is a good idea. <br /> <br />Commissioner Scotch said she felt registration would help assure the neighbors of safety. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Ericson asked for direction. <br /> <br />Acting Chair Miller asked whether the Commission felt requiring a permit or registration fee was <br />appropriate. <br /> <br />Commissioner Hegland said he would like a better definition of what the City is really trying to <br />accomplish with the changes. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Ericson indicated he would like to try to prevent problems <br />not just fix them once they occur.