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Ms. Harryman replied that these are technically businesses under the City’s current ordinance. Commissioner Blank stated that he felt this was far-reaching and noted that people licensed by the Federal government to do certain things would be pre-empted by this. Commissioner O’Connor inquired if an author writing a book a home and without any clients would also be considered a business. Commissioner Narum inquired what types of home occupations or businesses would be expected to require a zoning certificate versus a permit. Mr. Dolan replied that such things as editing or web designing at home would require zoning certificates. He add that there are people who do not even know that the regulation exists and when they come in to the City to inquire about advertising their business located in a residential district, the City informs them of the requirement. Mr. Dolan continued that an actual hearing may be required when a business can create issues such as noise or employees or deliveries regularly coming into the home. Commissioner O’Connor noted that there may be ten percent of the City’s population falling under the requirement for a zoning certificate. Commissioner Blank stated that he felt this kind of approach does not recognize the virtualization of the way people earn livings today. He indicated that he knows regular writers for magazines which would fall under this category. He added that he felt there needs to be some allowance for people who sell on eBay once a week or the author that writes an article once a month or who works on a book. He stated that in his opinion, this requirement was over-stretched. Commissioner O’Connor noted that there may be employees who are working at home for large corporations and who do not do much more than some of the mentioned businesses. Commissioner Pentin stated that in his opinion, people who work out of their homes and generate an invoice to get payment for their work would be running a business. He added that when he came to town as an independent producer, he had to have an address to establish his bank account and was told he needed a business license. Commissioner Blank disagreed. He stated that he did not see as a business a consultant who travels to another city and does work there, and then comes home and generates an invoice to get paid. Ms. Harryman noted that there is no fee for a zoning certificate and that it is a quick approval that legitimizes a business that can be done from one’s home. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, November 18, 2009 Page 16 of 25