Fayetteville planners this

month are considering new rules governing what you can and can't do in

your home.

Nine new conditions for customary

home occupations are included in amendments to the city's zoning ordinance

being considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Sections regarding amendment

procedures, the Open Space Zoning District, home occupations, and temporary

buildings were discussed at Tuesday night's workshop meeting in preparation

for possible action at the March 27 regular meeting.

Commission members Tuesday

said some of the proposed restrictions on home occupations might be too

restrictive. Commissioners cited storage of Amway products and receiving

UPS deliveries as two activities that would be illegal under these conditions.

"I'm usually in favor

of less government, not more," said commission Chairman Myron Coxe

when addressing the proposals.

The new conditions proposed

storage of materials or equipment for the business. No internal or external

alterations inconsistent with residential use of the building. No more

than 20 percent of the total floor area used for the business. Only vehicles

used primarily for passengers and no on-street parking of customers. No

chemical, electrical or mechanical equipment except what is normally used

for residential purposes. No commodities stocked or sold on the premises.

Only persons living in the dwelling unit are employed in the occupation.

No group instruction, assembly or activity.

Proposed changes to the Open

Space District include new definitions of open spaces, passive parks and

passive recreation.

Passive parks would not include

swimming pools, gymnasiums or playing fields. Passive recreation is defined

as activities such as hiking, bicycling, picnicking, fishing, horseback

riding, interpretive trails and bird watching, although other activities

can be included.

A list of uses permitted in

the district includes historical monuments and informational centers;

non-commercial greenhouses and vegetable and flower gardens; passive parks,

trails and open space areas; boat docks and fishing piers by special exception

only; horticulture and forestry uses established and run according to

state guidelines; wildlife refuges with a single-family dwelling for a

caretaker.

Proposed amendments to the

amendment procedure section include the following: Any information submitted

to the city (either written or verbal) and accepted by the council shall

become an amendment to the application and a part of the rezoning. No

permanent change in the zoning classification will take effect until all

conditions of the rezoning are met.

Failure to meet all conditions

within a prescribed time period will cause the property to automatically

revert to the prior zoning classification. Substantial compliance will

be required within 12 months of ordinance adoption, or it will be revoked

and the zoning reversed.

All of the amendments will

be brought up again at the commission's March 27 regular meeting.