For immediate release: Sept. 3, 2014
Press Release by:
Councilmember Donald G. Couch, Jr., Chair
Planning Committee
Committee to consider regulations for home businesses
WAILUKU, Hawaii – The Planning Committee will consider a bill to regulate home businesses tomorrow, Sept. 4, at 9 a.m. in the Council Chamber, Committee Chair Donald G. Couch, Jr. announced today.
Couch said the bill prohibits a home business from generating greater traffic than would normally be expected in the neighborhood. The bill prohibits hours of operation that would interfere with the use and enjoyment of adjacent properties.
Couch said the bill also requires the business use to be clearly incidental to the residential use of the unit.
“Last year, the committee held district meetings and heard concerns about noise and parking, especially for auto-repair businesses,” Couch said. “The bill, which has incorporated public input, addresses these concerns.”
Couch said other protections in the bill address parking, exterior storage, vehicle limits, signage, on-site employees, floor-area ratios, customer visits, structural improvements and other specifications to minimize impacts to a neighborhood.
“I hope this legislation will encourage entrepreneurs in our community,” Couch said. “Some of our country’s most successful ventures have had their start in a neighborhood garage or basement.”
Couch said establishing a system to regulate home businesses will support an important business sector in the county and encourage economic diversification.
He noted the Countywide Policy Plan, enacted in 2010, made it a policy of the county to “support home-based businesses that are appropriate for and in character with the community.” The Countywide Policy Plan included as an implementing action a call to “develop regulations and programs that support opportunities for local merchants, farmers, and small businesses to sell their goods and services directly to the public.”
“This bill fulfills a goal established four years ago,” Couch said. “It contains standards and restrictions to preserve the character of the neighborhood.
“Clearly defining our laws will give communities greater guidance and improve enforcement.”
Review the bill online at mauicounty.gov/homebusiness. Testimony may be emailed to pc.committee@mauicounty.us, referencing PC-33.
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