Board to consider changes to home occupation rules

The Milford Township Planning Commission has approved sending an amendment to the township’s home occupation ordinance before the Board of Trustees for consideration at its Wednesday, July 20 meeting.

The Planning Commission began discussing changes to the ordinance back in August 2010, with Commissioner and Township Board Liaison William Mazzara saying that the current ordinance is outdated and that revisions are in order. Other commissioners also noted that the current ordinance doesn’t address residents working out of their homes, changes in technology, and current economic trends.

After the issue was first raised last August, it was tabled for the next two Planning Commission meetings before coming up again in January.

In February, the commissioners discussed issues such as defining commercial vehicles, the effects of signage and commercial vehicles on residential characteristics, and how to regulate the number of commercial vehicles on a single parcel.

In March, the commissioners decided that it would be best to strengthen the ordinance’s current language and restructure the rules to make enforcement more effective.

In April, the commission then moved to have the township’s engineering firm, Wade-Trim, write up a draft home occupation ordinance for the commission to review.

Prior to discussion on Thursday, June 30, when the referral to the township board took place, the commission held a public hearing regarding home occupations and home-based businesses.

A copy of the amendment to the township’s ordinance was not available at press time Tuesday, July 5, but is expected to be available before the township board’s next meeting.