Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Home-based business policies...

[R Philip Dowds (rpdowds]

One must wonder:  What, exactly, does “business” have to do with it?  If I am 
trying to learn to play the accordian in my own dwelling unit, I’m not earning 
a dime.  But I may still annoy my neighbors.

I don’t play or teach the accordian, but I’ll give a real life example:  I 
frame pictures.  I do this in our communal arts and crafts room.  I’d say about 
80% of the pictures I frame are for my own enjoyment, for gifts to family or 
friends, or donated to the community.  But for the other 20%, I am getting 
paid:  People outside the community are paying me to frame pictures for them.  
So how could it turn out that framing pictures for fun is plenty OK, but making 
some money framing pictures harms the community in some way?  If people drop in 
while I’m in the arts and crafts room, will they be able to tell when I’m 
framing for fun, versus when I’m framing for money?

This topic of using the unit, or the commons, for business activity is very 
complex.  I’m not convinced, however, that on-premises behaviors and impacts 
are well evaluated or proscribed based on whether or not money is changing 
hands.

Philip Dowds
Cornerstone Cohousing
Cambridge, MA

mobile: 617.460.4549
email:   rpdowds [at] comcast.net <mailto:rpdowds [at] comcast.net>

> On Jun 27, 2015, at 3:05 PM, Kay Wilson <kwilsonfisk [at] comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> 
> Our home businesses requirements follow below. (I will post
> noise requirements separately)
> 
> However, be sure to consult your local zoning laws, which
> likely include additional requirements, including parking
> requirements. In our case, our county zoning requirements
> appear to apply to music lessons, and require a special use
> permit for this use.
> 
> Meadow Wood Declaration of Covenants:
> 
>       Section 10.1    Residential Use: Timesharing and
> Business Use Prohibited. The Condominium is intended for and
> restricted to use as single family residences only, on an
> ownership, rental, or lease basis, and for social,
> recreational, or other reasonable activities normally
> incident to such use, except as provided in Article 11. The
> Timesharing of Units, as defined in RCW 64.36, is
> prohibited.
> 
>       10.1.1  Any business, trade, garage sale, moving
> sale, rummage sale, or similar activity is prohibited,
> except that an Owner or occupant residing in a Unit may
> conduct business activities within the Unit so long as:
> 
>       (a)     The existence or operation of the business
> activity is not apparent or detectable by sight, sound, or
> smell from outside the Unit;
>       (b)     The business activity conforms to all zoning
> requirements for the Property;
>       (c)     The activity does not, in the Board's
> reasonable judgment, generate a level of vehicular or
> pedestrian traffic or a number of vehicles being parked in
> Meadow Wood that is noticeably greater than that which is
> typical of Units in which no business activity is being
> conducted;
>       (d)     The business activity does not increase the
> liability or casualty insurance obligation or premium of the
> Association;
>       (e)     The business activity does not cause an
> increase in the consumption of utilities or trash collection
> services paid for by the Association as a common expense;
> and 
>       (f)     The business activity, in the sole
> discretion of the Board, is consistent with the residential
> character of Meadow Wood and does not constitute a nuisance,
> a hazardous or offensive use, or threaten the security or
> safety of other residents of Meadow Wood.
> 
> Kay Wilson
> Meadow Wood Cohousing
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
>>>> My forming community is working with potential members
> who are interested in continuing to run their business out
> of their home when they move in.  Since they provide music
> lessons, we are interested in forming our policies on
> home-based businesses and noise early in our process.
> 
> I would very much appreciate receiving any policies on
> businesses and noise that you may care to share!
> 
> Thank you,
> 
> Allison Tom
> allison.tom [at] telus.net
> 
> Little Mountain Cohousing, Vancouver, BC
> ____________________________________________________________
> _____
> 
> 
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