Keeping businesses out of residential neighborhoods is the aim of a bill introduced by City Councilman Brian O’Neill (R-10th dist.)
Bill №140831 prohibits home businesses with customers and employees from occupying single-family homes, the councilman said in a Jan. 16 phone interview. This week, he will amend the measure to include duplexes and row homes. He said the council is likely to vote on the bill on Jan. 29.
The ordinance would require anyone who wants to run such a business out of his or her home to get a zoning variance, he said. Currently, home businesses that have nonresident partners, employees or customers visiting the premises are allowed by special exceptions. Variances usually are harder to get from the Zoning Board of Adjustment than special exceptions.
The City Planning Commission voted in December to oppose O’Neill’s bill. ••
