HomeMy WebLinkAbout3 - Home Occupation - Texidermy
To: Planning Commission
From: Justin Fortney, City Planner
Date: November 24, 2025
Item: Home Occupation Review 2025-41 - Taxidermy - 714 13th St West – Joe Knoll
Planning Commission Action Requested: The Planning Commission is asked to review
the proposed home occupation and make a recommendation to the City Council.
Background Information:
The applicant is proposing to operate a taxidermy business out of his detached garage. Home
based businesses that utilize a garage, have employees working at the home not residing at
the home, or that have more than one customer visit at a time are required to get a Type II
Home Occupation License. These type II Home Occupation Licenses require review by the
Planning Commission and City Council.
Home Occupation
The typical work will occur in the detached garage. There may be times during hunting
season when three or more customers may drop off projects at similar time. There will be no
outside employees working at the home. The applicant will have a taxidermy license from
the Minnesota DNR.
The intended hours of operation are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. During
hunting season, customers may drop off projects into the evening. The applicant confirms he
will operate the business in line with the following regulations.
Applicable Regulations
The following are requirements of home occupations that must be followed in addition to any
conditions placed on approval. If any of the provisions are violated, the City Council has the
right to revoke the license.
(a) Exterior alterations or modifications that change the residential character or appearance of
the dwelling, any accessory buildings, or the property itself for the purpose of a home
occupation shall be prohibited.
(b) Exterior display or storage of equipment or materials related to the home occupation is
prohibited. No article for sale shall be visible from the street.
Planning Commission Memorandum
(c) There shall be no indication of offensive noise, vibration, smoke dust, odors, heat, or
glare at or beyond the property line.
(d) The home occupation shall be conducted indoors and shall be clearly incidental and
subordinate to its use for residential purposes by its occupants.
(e) The use shall not generate sewage of a nature or rate greater than normally associated
with a residential occupancy nor shall it generate hazardous waste or solid wastes at a rate
greater than that normally associated with residential occupancy.
(f) No home occupation shall be allowed which jeopardizes the health and safety of city
residents.
(g) Shipment and delivery of products, merchandise, or supplies shall be limited to between
8:00 am and 6:00 pm.
(h) No home occupation causing additional parking or traffic than would be normally
expected in a residential neighborhood shall be conducted between the hours of 8:00 p.m.
and 7:00 a.m.
(i) Only articles or services made or originating on the premises shall be sold to customers
on-site, unless the articles are incidental to a permitted home occupation.
(j) Only 1 vehicle and 1 trailer specifically used for a home occupation are permitted to be
parked at the residence licensed for a home occupation. The parking of these vehicles must
be off-street and in compliance with the parking regulations of the City Code.
(k) Signage may consist of not more than 1 single faced unlighted wall sign per home with a
maximum area of 2 square feet.
Existing Conditions
The existing site has a house with attached garage facing 13th St W. The work will occur in
the ~900 Sf detached garage facing Oak Street. Both garages have large driveways for off-
street parking.
Access and Parking
Customers will mostly come by appointment. There will be an increase in customers during
the hunting season to drop off projects. The detached garage’s driveway is should be
adequate for customer parking.
Signage
Signs two square feet or less are allowed per the Home Occupation Ordinance.
Comments from Neighbors
Notice has been sent to neighboring residents within 350 feet of the property. Staff has not
received any response yet.
Review Period
Licenses shall be issued for a one year probationary period from the date of City Council
approval. The City Council shall consider issuance of a full license at the end of the
probationary period. The term of a license is normally for a five-year period.
Fire Inspector Review
The fire inspector will inspect the property to check for any fire and safety hazards.
Recommendation
Staff recommends approval contingent on the following conditions:
1) That the business be operated in compliance with the information provided in the
staff report dated November 24, 2025.
2) That the applicant shall provide the Planning Department notice of changes that
expand the business (i.e. additional outside employees) to determine if the business is
operating within the confines of the code.
3) That the business will be operated in compliance with the Home Occupation,
Nuisance, and Property Maintenance codes.
4) Pass a City of Hastings Fire Marshal inspection prior to operation.
5) That the Type II license will be in a probationary status for one year. Following the
probationary status, the Council will review the license and determine whether it
should be issued for five years.
Attachments:
• Aerial Photograph
• Site Photograph
• Application Questionnaire
Site Location