Dear Editor,

Re: Amendments to home-based business bylaw put forward, Merritt Herald, May 8

I think the proposed home-based businesses bylaw amendment goes way too far in the other direction — from being somewhat restrictive to no restrictions whatsoever. What about the rights of the residential homeowner? People buy in residential neighbourhoods to avoid business, not to have businesses in every second house.

To have unlimited parking for home-based businesses is lunacy and totally irresponsible of the task force that is proposing it. There isn’t even unlimited parking downtown! Is every neighbourhood now going to be subjected to two-hour parking as well?

To have an unlimited number of employees for a home-based business is again, well, lunacy in my mind, and once again, totally irresponsible of the task force.

“[…] Having no restriction on parking or employees might generate concerns as those suggestions could change the character of a neighbourhood.” Of course it will change the character of a neighbourhood!

What is to stop an already established downtown business from closing their storefront operation and opening up at home? With the extreme latitude being allowed in the proposed amendment, why would someone want to pay an exorbitant amount in rent and utilities downtown when the city will make it much easier for someone to work out of their home? So much for trying to resuscitate downtown Merritt! Bye-bye downtown Merritt, and bye-bye residential neighbourhoods.

I’m all for new business including home-based businesses, but not at the expense of residential neighbourhoods. Home-based businesses were meant to be one or two person operations, not have an unlimited number of employees and parking. They were meant to facilitate new businesses to grow. They should be businesses that usually have one customer per hour, maybe two at the most, not groups of people at a time.

I know this current task force was formed because of a problem with a business that is currently on Parker Drive. It started originally as a massage therapy business (and still is) that morphed into group yoga classes on various days and evenings which caused parking problems for residents. The city made the mistake of allowing the yoga business because there was already a massage therapy business licensed. Are there now two business licences for this address, or still only one?

Obviously I am strongly opposed to the proposed amendments. I think it will only serve to cause more dissension and problems for the city and residents. Instead of trying to carve out unlimited businesses in residential neighbourhoods, I suggest the City of Merritt work with the landlords downtown to reduce the rental rates so businesses can locate there.

Rachelle Vogt

Merritt