Alice Pickering
Area Reporter

Columbus City Council on Wednesday, July 25th approved an interim use permit for Marta Bradshaw, to operate her business, Independent Security Solutions, Inc., from her home, 18125 Tulane St. NE.

Bradshaw had requested a five-year permit but council granted one for three years.

At least 23 residents signed petitions or wrote letters in opposition to the IUP, citing traffic concerns, “strangers in the neighborhood,” bringing a larger business into the area and opposition to bringing a business into a residential area.

The objections were presented at the public hearing on the request.

There was also a letter from another neighbor, speaking in strong support of the application. Many residents also attended the council meeting.

Bradshaw’s application indicated the site is used for materials storage and there will not be a lot of additional traffic in the neighborhood. A building stores parts for the security installations.

In response to concerns at the public hearing, Bradshaw has made changes in her operation to keep business hours Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Staff meetings are to be off-site, car pools for staff are to be off-site, direct deposit for pay, with other materials mailed, daily sign-in/sign-out log will be maintained. Other access must be pre-arranged with the owner. The property is fenced as required by city ordinances.

Comments

Council member Jeff Duraine thought the permit should be issued for an initial period of one year before review. The size of the business is on the edge of what is allowed in the area.

Council member Renae Fry said the property is well kept and fenced. She did not believe that a business where employees picked up parts several times a week would generate more traffic than a home which had several teenage drivers, received FedEx deliveries for an e-bay business, or traffic from a day-care.

It may be that conditions for home-based businesses in the comprehensive plan may need to be reviewed, but she said the city “has to use the ordinance on the books.” Council member Mark Walsh agreed with Fry.

Attorney Bill Griffith said the usual terms for an IUP are for from three to five years, less if the building or business is sold.

City Administrator Elizabeth Mursko said violations of the conditions of the IUP, results in termination of the permit. In addition, home occupation business and residential-zoned business do not require traditional business licenses.

Mayor Mel Mettler indicated that for a long time small business operations were allowed without permits, until there were complaints.

Council action

Duraine’s motion to issue an IUP for one year died for lack of a second.

A second motion to approve a three-year permit was approved by a 3-2 vote. Fry, Mettler and Walsh voted in favor of the permit. Duraine and Council member Denny Peterson voted no.

Mursko said she wants the message out that “Columbus is serious about businesses being in compliance with the conditions of their conditional use permits.”

Other issues

She brought to council’s attention two local businesses that are falling behind.

Dave’s Contracting is out of compliance with the conditions of its CUP and, according to Mursko, this is the third time in five years the business has been warned of non-compliance with permit conditions. The order for clean-up ended July 26, 2007.

Owner Dave Braatan has been warned of conditions on the site, she said. Roll-off dumpsters are allowed, but the ratio of full ones to empty ones is specified. Contents of some containers have been emptied onto the lot and left uncovered, in violation of the CUP, she said, adding that junk cars are also on the property and this is not allowed.

Mursko visited the site recently and said of the clean-up there has been “some progress, but not enough.” A revocation hearing is to be scheduled in September. Braatan can continue efforts to bring the property into compliance by the time the hearing is scheduled.

Another problem exists with Jay Brothers, located on the south side of CR-23, west of I-35. The company has a huge rubble pile on site and according to Mursko, the company is “not allowed to have a rubble pile,” under the conditions of the CUP. There seems to be a difference in perceptions about the size of the rubble pile, she said.

Mursko said the city offered a one-time grind permit to reduce volume but there was no response from the firm. However, she was notified that rubble pile was being ground without a permit. Normally, the city issues the permit, to regulate hours, dust control, and noise. Also it allows the city to notify neighbors of the activity.

She emphasized that when applying for a CUP a business makes promises to the city that must be upheld.

Other business

In other business, the city council:

•Approved the appointment of Christy Mackaman to the park board. Mackaman sent a letter expressing interest in serving and the appointment fills a vacancy on the board.

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