Village aims to streamline rules for businesses run from homes

The Village of Fredonia moved one step closer to amending its ordinance regulating businesses run out of homes.

The Plan Commission approved setting a public hearing on the ordinance at its next meeting on Nov. 3, after which it could recommend the Village Board adopt the ordinance.

Discussion on the issue started when a resident was trying to run a computer-numerical controlled business out of his home, but the village ordinance didn’t allow it, Village Administrator Christophe Jenkins said. The Board of Appeals denied the man’s proposal.

The proposed ordinance is based on that of the Village of Grafton and tweaked by Fredonia’s attorney. It would allow for low-intensity occupations such as a home sourdough baker and requires a conditional use permit for medium-intensity occupations.

The ordinance includes:

• No more than one employee who doesn’t live at the residence.

• Using a maximum of 25% of the habitable living area for the business.

• No storage or display of goods or vehicles; only an unlighted sign is allowed on the property.

• The business may use the home or a permanent outbuilding.

• No in-person retail sales except picking up preorders.

• Vehicular or pedestrian traffic generated won’t be in greater volume than the business’ principal use.

• Restrictions on noise, emissions, radiation, vibration, heat, glare, dust, fumes, smoke and electrical interference.