Some residents concerned more home businesses will mean too much car and delivery van traffic
The easing of home business regulations during the pandemic might soon become permanent under a proposal up for discussion in the Seattle City Council Wednesday.
Those rules now passed out of the Council’s Land Use Committee include things like lifting the ‘customers by appointment only’ rule and raising limits on the number of employees and vehicles allowed on site.
Colleen McAlear with the Laurelhurst Community Council is concerned the rules about vehicles aren’t clearly defined, especially when it comes to automotive businesses. “Auto services, such as repairs, rentals, cleaning businesses often spill over into the neighborhoods with autos in waiting throughout the area,” McAlear says, “The neighborhood residential zones, they’re designed to have some parking available for residents, visitors and other people who want to operate their businesses.” Others who spoke during public comment raised concerns about eliminating limits on daily deliveries, which committee chair, Dan Strauss, says doesn’t seem like a problem with the number of personal package deliveries that happen every day. However, one resident pointed out that a small delivery van is a lot different from a big rig.
Council Member Tammy Morales says the relaxed rules would allow small businesses to get off the ground and create other opportunities, “that we need to create in the city for really vibrant neighborhoods, where people have access to child care and health care and grocery stores and small businesses that are growing out of our neighbors’ homes.”
The Committee voted 4-0 to approve the bill, with Alex Pedersen abstaining and promising a no vote when the full council gets it June 27th.