If you’re wondering who died and left your local “planning commission” as God, you’re not alone. Thanks to the internet we get to see the whining and carping that goes on in these planning commissions who believe that they have such omnipotent power over people who want to make a living from their homes.
While it might be understandable that there’s concern about business traffic on residential streets, these same laws based on a totally different economy – the Industrial Age where human widgets go to factories to work and home to watch TV – could be used to shut you down if you had a totally virtual business selling digital products.
Notice how competitors tried to use the anti home business regulations to inhibit competition because the home based business had “less overhead”. Thankfully the planning commission didn’t decide it existed to inhibit competition…but what’s to stop it?
From The Mountain Mail
Approval of two conditional use permits sparked discussion among Salida Planning Commission members regarding businesses located in residential neighborhoods during the meeting Monday.
Two permits for home businesses in residential neighborhoods were approved with additional conditions.
The Kelley Jones conditional use is for a picture framing business at 1026 H St. Jones would have customers come to her home business and choose frames.
Jones would order the moulding for the frame and pre-cut and assemble the frame in her garage.
Although she will be selling a product, and retail establishments in residential neighborhoods are prohibited, Jones’ business meets qualifications as a home business because selling the frame will be secondary to the primary purpose of the business which is to make frames.
Three community members voiced concern about the business.
Meeting minutes show neighborhood resident Paula Schirmer, who lives on I Street, said she was concerned about potential traffic the business would bring to the neighborhood and other possible changes to the neighborhood.
Another neighborhood resident, Sharon Ingraham of I Street, echoed Schirmer’s concerns about traffic.
From a different perspective, Susan Wilson of Riverside Framing Co. said allowing businesses to located in residential neighborhoods creates unfair competition because of additional expenses associated with operating in a commercial district.
Planner Bob Biglow said he feels the subject of home businesses is touchy because of worries about potential growth and because larger operations wouldn’t pay commercial rates for sewer and water.
Mary Ann Bavaria, commission member, later said she isn’t sure it’s the commission’s task to protect businesses from competition.
Planners approved the permit, but stipulated advertising may include the phone number, but not address and on-site signs must say, “by appointment only.”
The application will be reconsidered and the public will be able to comment at the August meeting.
The James Salazar Conditional Use permit is for a taxidermy service at 522 W. Second St.
Salazar wants to open a business to preserve and mount birds, fish and heads of larger game, in addition to tanning and mounting larger animals using a non-chemical process, minutes show.
The permit was approved with stipulations the applicant must provide evidence of a Federal Migratory Bird Taxidermy Permit, activities must be conducted within a shed at the rear of the property and advertisement is limited to include the phone number and on-site signs must say, “by appointment only.”
The permit will be reconsidered if there are neighbor complaints and will be re-evaluated in one year.
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