02-12-2001 CC - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council January 22, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 11 Barbara Hawke stated she is very privileged to be able to work out of her house as an insurance agent and would not want to do anything to jeopardize the ability to do so. In her opinion, despite the fact she operates a business out of her home, she does not believe it is appropriate to have signs posted in yards changing the character of the residential neighborhoods. Council Member Thomas stated she does not believe the City has properly defined what a home- based business is and until it does so is not in a position to resolve the other issues such as parking and signage. There needs to be a policy to protect the neighborhood but also to allow for a business in the home. She does not believe enough has been done to address the issues and the City has not gotten enough resident input to do so. Ms. Shelquist stated if the City wants to limit home-based businesses the issue has been addressed very well in most of the suburbs. Most suburbs have decided to allow a home occupation if it is quiet, and produces no traffic and no signs. Ms. Shelquist stated she had called a New Brighton council member who said he thought a resident had to have a permit to open up a business and that when the resident came to get the permit would be questioned concerning the business. A home-based business is allowed to have two customers per day for a total of four trips. In Spring Lake Park they are allowed a nameplate on the door. She stated she has never seen signs on lawns other than campaign signs and does not feel it is appropriate. Council Member Thomas stated she feels the City needs to allow more time for public comment as to what the community wants a home-based business to be. It would then be easier to define the issues. Mayor Sonterre closed the public hearing at 8:28 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Stigney. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 672, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 1006 of the Zoning Code Pertaining to Home Occupations Deleting the Proposed Changes to Section C Concerning Signage. Community Development Director Ericson stated the Planning Commission had wanted to clean up the language of Section C as it is difficult to enforce a clause allowing any sign prior to December 29, 1972 because Staff has no way of knowing what signs have existed since December 29, 1972. Community Development Director Ericson stated Staff was hoping to take the difficult to understand and enforce language out of the ordinance and simply state a sign of one square foot is allowed. City Attorney Riggs indicated deleting that sentence could jeopardize any pre-existing sign usages which would be grandfathered in if the language is left in.