Bucyrus Platting Committee works with residents to create better business climate

The Bucyrus Platting Committee started a process that would allow residents to run home businesses from accessory structures on their properties.

The issue was raised at last week's Council Council meeting by Jacqueline Vanek, the owner of a laundry pick-up and delivery business, The Vanek Laundry Co. It has now been referred to the Planning Commission.

Vanek said she explored renting or buying a building in which to run her business, but ran into problems that included lack of available spaces and high rent and sale prices.

She decided to look into operating her business from home and ran into a city ordinance addressing home occupations for businesses.

The ordinance allows residents to use the residential structures for occupational purposes as long as the use accounts for no more than 25% of the dwelling unit. However, an ordinance on accessory buildings and structures prohibits the use of accessory structures for commercial purposes.

“I am here today to project the idea that an addendum be written to this zoning code so that a small business owner like myself,” Vanek said, “can utilize assets that we already own and pay taxes on to bring economic value and desperately needed economic support to the area.”

Vanek said that when says "like myself" she means businesses that do not bring additional traffic to the area and meet sanitary and other guidelines.

She said she felt these types of business owners should be permitted to work within the city, and not be forced to find locations outside of the limits. Vanek named a few other businesses and side hustles that could benefit from the legislation amendment, such as hairdressers who want to schedule appointments after hours.

“I think it’s super important for this community at this time because it’s dissipating,” Vanek said.

How long will it take to change the legislation?

City Council President Kurt Fankhauser said the current zoning codes allow for home occupation if a business is located within the house, and suggested not to overcomplicate the procedure if Vanek also was going to use her house for her business.

“I think we are overthinking this,” Fankhauser said.

Vanek said she wants to do everything legally.

Fankhauser said it would take six months to legally change those few words in the ordinance.

“It’s worth it for other business owners in this town, and there are other people like me,” Vanek said. “If we are in a desperate need of the money and the businesses, then you’ve got to facilitate those people that are trying to do this in this town still because they are few.”

Bucyrus Law Director Brian Gernert clarified that in this case the amendments should be referred to the Planning Commission for approval or recommendation. Once the Planning Commission issues a recommendation, the ordinance should be referred back to the Platting Committee for a public hearing.

After the public hearing and the proper readings, City Council would vote on the proposed amendments, and within 30 days, provided no ballot petition is submitted, the amendment becomes a law.

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Proposal introduced that could benefit Bucyrus home businesses