Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: November 12, 2009 6:00 PM
Businesses setting up shop in residential neighbourhoods are coming under scrutiny. As part of a zoning bylaw review, the City of Vernon will consider issues surrounding major home-based businesses. “Most people don’t realize that you can have a major business move into your neighbourhood and you may not even know about it,” said Coun. Bob Spiers. Major home-based businesses are those with three employees. They are also allowed to have signage on the property and customers can visit the site. All residential zoning districts include major home-based businesses an allowable secondary use. However, a secondary use development permit application must be granted.
Property owners within 100 feet must be notified of the proposal, but Spiers doesn’t believe the consultation process has been comprehensive enough. “On East Hill, 100 feet may only be two or three neighbours,” he said of larger lots there, adding that a proposed business can have a broader impact. “Any time you hear the words major business in a residential area, people want to hear about it. If customers are coming to the door, there may be parking problems, etc.”
As part of the review, the city will consider whether additional home-based business uses should be added to the zoning bylaw in addition to the minor, major and rural categories. It will also look at what zones should be included in the major home-based business category as a permitted secondary use and what zoning bylaw regulations should be added, changed or removed for such a use.
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Morning Star Editorial: Nov 12 Greater public process required
Business and civic leaders frequently sing the praises of small businesses, that they’re the backbone of our economy. And if that’s the case, there is no better example of the entrepreneurial spirit than businesses that operate out of homes. They start off on a small scale but their dreams may be endless. But while everything possible should be done to encourage home-based businesses, there is the reality that such operations can have a less-than-positive impact on their neighbourhood. Primarily, parking for either employees or customers can create headaches on narrow residential streets. Signage may also not fit into the character of the area and certain activities may create odours or not be esthetically pleasing. That’s why Coun. Bob Spiers is on track when he says the City of Vernon needs to do more to make residents aware of major home-based businesses, and particularly when it comes to the notification process.
Presently, the rules only call for property owners within 100 feet of the applicant to be notified, but when you consider the historic large lots on East Hill, only one or two homes may be contacted. That means residences within the same block may be left out of the loop, and certainly the broader neighbourhood will be. Applicants must post signs on their property detailing what is proposed for the site but you practically have to be under the sign to read the miniscule wording. Larger signs would be a good first step but perhaps there should also be mandated neighbourhood meetings. In the end, there is nothing wrong with home-based businesses because we as a community benefit from them. But they must be done right.
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