TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to draft an ordinance that would allow small construction, masonry and plumbing businesses to be operated as "home businesses" and include appropriate protections for residential neighborhoods.
DISCUSSION
Unemployment is at an all-time high in California and more specifically, here in Long Beach.
Residents who are skilled in building trades are seeking employment, including self-employment.
It recently came to the City Council's attention that the current business license code allows painting contractors to operate as home based businesses, while plumbing and masonry are not.
Recognizing the need to preserve and protected residential zoning, there should be some way to accommodate the solo-business within a residential area. Certainly, with appropriate restrictions concerning hours of operation, limiting the size and number of vehicles and employees, etc., the City could provide an avenue for these residents to have employment.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
COUNCILWOMAN GERRIE SCHIPSKE
FIFTH DISTRICT