Revisions proposed to Othello home-based business ordinance

OTHELLO — The Othello Planning Commission will have a public hearing Aug. 19 to take public comment on a proposal to revise the ordinance governing home businesses.   

Community development director Anne Henning said the proposed changes reflect some of the changes in society. 

"The world has changed a lot since 1995, when Othello’s home occupation rules were adopted,” Henning wrote in a memo to Othello City Council members. 

The revised ordinance doesn’t list allowable business; Henning said Othello officials reviewed similar ordinances from a lot of cities, and most don’t have a list. The existing ordinance has a list of what isn’t allowed, and that will stay in the new ordinance. 

Prohibited uses include retail sales, vehicle repair and paint shops, cabinet shops, restaurants, animal hospitals, kennels, restaurants and real estate offices, among others. The list does include private or nursery schools, which prompted a question from council member Corey Everett during the council meeting Monday. Everett asked how it would affect daycare facilities, but Henning said daycare is regulated under different rules. 

Council member Genna Dorow asked about people who cook at home for sale off-site. Henning said that is regulated by the Adams County Health Department.  

Home-based businesses will be restricted to one customer at a time. A business cannot generate more traffic than would be normally expected in a residential neighborhood.  

Residents will be allowed to set up a business in an auxiliary structure on the property, but outdoor storage of equipment or materials connected with a home business will be prohibited. So will parking of construction equipment or other large equipment. 

Business owners must apply for a license, and the city can set conditions for it. All home businesses are prohibited from having outside employees. 

The existing ordinance sets size limitations on the business, but Henning said city officials thought that would be hard to enforce. In addition, planning commission members thought it was up to the home and business owners to decide how to use their space. 

The proposed revisions will be brought back to the city council after the planning commission public hearing. The council will hold its own public hearing, tentatively scheduled for Sept. 19. 

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.