Agenda - 03-18-2014 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

11 1 the planning board was willing to allow them, but there were limits put in place to prevent them 2 from being an intrusion to neighbors. 3 Commissioner Gordon asked how these changes are different for major home 4 occupations versus minor home occupations. 5 Ashley Moncado said this means less employees, less clients, smaller accessory 6 structures, lower traffic counts and less dwelling use for the minor home occupations. She said 7 the major home occupations would allow for more in each of these areas. 8 Commissioner Gordon asked about the differences in outside storage structures. 9 Ashley Moncado said this has remained the same, at 500 square feet for major and 10 minor. She said the traffic counts are not to exceed 20 for minor home occupations and 50 for 11 major home occupations. 12 Commissioner Gordon asked about delivery trucks. 13 Ashley Moncado said these are not counted, and there is no limit. 14 Commissioner Price asked for the rationale of 80 feet as a setback amount. She asked 15 if it was possible to go down to 60 feet. 16 Ashley Moncado said 80 feet was the minimum setback for those zoning districts. She 17 said the least amount would be 40 feet and the concern was doubling this to keep that 18 protective buffer. 19 Commissioner Price said she is concerned that this is making life more difficult for those 20 wanting to start a home business. 21 Ashley Moncado said 40 feet is the setback for the accessory structure, but the 80 feet 22 is the setback to be exempt from screening requirements. 23 Commissioner Price asked if this requirement can be lessened. 24 Ashley Moncado said there is always the option for a variance if a hardship can be 25 identified. 26 Commissioner Price said she was wondering if it could be lessened in the UDO, before 27 the need for a variance. 28 Ashley Moncado said this could be done. 29 Commissioner Pelissier said she does not understand why vegetation is required around 30 accessory structures when the accessory structure is already required to be built of materials 31 similar to a residence. She said this seems to mean that it must be shielded just because it is 32 used as a business, even if it looks like a house. 33 Ashley Moncado said this was meant to reduce the visual impact of introducing a 34 secondary usage on to a piece of property. She said this may also reduce noise impacts. 35 Commissioner Rich noted that the planning board passed the recommendation 7 -1. 36 She asked if the person who voted against it had a strong objection to anything in particular. 37 Ashley Moncado said this person had concerns regarding the application fee, 38 enforcement, and the standards limiting economic development in Orange County. 39 Commissioner Gordon said there is a balance between allowing expansion in home 40 occupations and maintaining the existing residential character of the area. She said some 41 businesses could create noises and other impacts, and the required setbacks are not that large. 42 She said the balance is between allowing some non - residential use without disturbing the 43 people already there. She said she is concerned about the noise and other impacts of some of 44 the construction businesses. 45 Commissioner McKee said he agreed with Commissioner Gordon because it is a 46 balancing act. He noted that the 40 foot setback is the size of the current meeting room. He 47 said the goal is to improve the availability of the activity without throwing out all the rules. 48 Commissioner Price said if you consider some of the benign businesses that are located 49 in offices made of the same material as your house, she does not understand why the expense 50 of a fence or shield plants is necessary. She is thinking of the residents in clustered areas or