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37 <br /> regulations in place. However,those cases that are not able to meet standards or are exceeding home <br /> occupation regulations may apply for a conditional use permit or variance request or relocate to a <br /> commercial zoning district located in the county <br /> Benefits <br /> The existing and proposed standards contained within the UDO and text amendment provide for a <br /> number of benefits As previously stated,the introduction of new uses previously not permitted as <br /> home occupations and the expansion of larger scale home occupations will create the opportunity for <br /> greater impacts to neighborhoods and residential districts than currently experienced in the county <br /> Maintaining screening requirements and increased setback standards for accessory structures will allow <br /> for potential impacts to be mitigated and reduce negative effects to adjacent property owners from <br /> noise, light,odor, or visual impacts.These standards will help to address conflicts that may arise from <br /> the permitting of an incidental or secondary nonresidential use to operate in an accessory structure in a <br /> district primarily intended for residential purposes. With the County's role in allowing new uses and <br /> expansion of home base business operations in residential districts, it is necessary to create standards <br /> that will not result in negative impacts,create conflicts,or loss of residential character <br /> The existing and proposed standards ease regulations to provide for an expansion of home occupations <br /> to support home based businesses in the county, but also provide a safeguard system protecting the <br /> residential character of neighborhoods. In the end, planning staff believes that the existing and <br /> proposed standards successfully create a reasonable balance between supporting home based <br /> businesses and protecting the character and enjoyment of residential neighborhoods <br /> Summary <br /> The existing language contained within the UDO and the proposed standards relating to accessory <br /> structure setbacks and screening are an essential component to the proposed home occupation text <br /> amendment in order to reduce negative impacts and protect the residential character of neighborhoods. <br /> By revising the existing and proposed standards,the County may create greater impacts to residential <br /> districts and conflicting land uses within a district primarily designed for residential purposes These <br /> impacts can result in increased conflict of uses and enforcement issues dependent on the effects the <br /> new permitted uses and larger scale home occupations may have on adjacent properties Proposed <br /> standards are providing greater opportunities for home based businesses by allowing for larger <br /> accessory structures and new uses that were previously not permitted as home occupations such as <br /> plumbing,electrical,and building contracting In order to facilitate the original goal of balance, <br /> regulations contained within the UDO and the proposed amendment,addressing setbacks and screening <br /> of accessory structures utilized in a home occupation,are necessary to keep these uses in check and <br /> mitigate any negative effects resulting from expanded home occupation operations.As a result, <br /> planning staff supports the need to remain consistent with existing standards contained in the UDO <br /> regarding screening and proposed standards contained in the text amendment recommended for <br /> approval by the Planning Board regarding setbacks <br /> 7 <br />