3A Public Hearing 2013 0520 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Draft Minutes for the Board of Zoning Adjustments Regular Meeting of April 4, 2013 Page 2 of 2 regulations, as these pertain to those that chose to obtain a formalize a commercial business via a CFO permit and a business license. Ms. Faught, noting that 32 other states have enabling legislation for CFOs on their books, described the background of AB1616, explaining that it grew out of a case where a local pizza maker wanted to legalize his growing home-based business and was framed in response to: The prevalence of obesity and growing incidence of obesity-related diseases A growing movement to connect food to local communities, small businesses and environmental sustainability by supporting urban agriculture and community-based production of so-called artisanal food products An interest in increasing opportunities for entrepreneur development through small businesses to strengthen local economies and help people supplement household incomes (without dealing with the expense and logistics involved in obtaining commercial kitchen space) Member Palma noted that AB 1616 also responds to changing neighborhoods, which have evolved from the old bedroom-community model to becoming more interactive, reflecting increased interest in locally prepared and processed foods and in small home-based businesses. Vice Chair Mendieta inquired about the inspection procedure. Planner Barros said the City’s enforcement role would be confined to issues of noise, parking, traffic and concentration/spacing. Member Palma described the Alameda County Health Department situation, noting that as a practical matter inspections and enforcement would be limited due to staff constraints. In most cases, she said, enforcement would be complaint-driven. Several BZA members expressed concern that CFOs might make existing parking problems even worse. In response to these concerns, Planner Barros suggested adopting a provision similar to what the current Zoning Code applies to Large Family Day Care operators. It requires a minimum 32 feet of lot frontage for on-street parking. With the addition of the provision Planner Barros proposed, expressly noting that the requirement could be waived by via administrative exception, BZA members agreed that the CFO regulations discussed would be acceptable. Planner Barros said she would present their recommendation to the Planning Commission at its meeting on April 18, 2013. In response the Vice Chair Mendieta’s request, Planner Barros indicated that she would come back to report to the BZA after one year to advise how the regulations are working in practice and how many CFO permits have been issued. In response to Chair Houston, Planner Barros said that so far only one resident has obtained a permit and license for a CFO, a man who apparently bakes cookies and decided he would rather sell them than keep giving them away.