The DeKalb County Plan Commission meeting held on November 20, 2024, focused on proposed changes to regulations governing home-based businesses, particularly in light of the increasing presence of Amish residents in the area. The discussions highlighted the potential for these businesses to thrive, provided they meet specific zoning standards.

One significant topic was the proposal from local Amish residents to split their properties, allowing them to operate separate commercial entities rather than home-based businesses. This shift raises questions about outdoor storage and visibility of business operations. Currently, regulations prohibit outdoor storage for home-based businesses, but some commission members expressed openness to allowing screened outdoor storage to accommodate growth while maintaining neighborhood aesthetics.

The commission also reviewed the definitions and requirements for different categories of home-based businesses, including home occupations, workshops, and enterprises. Each category has specific limitations on signage size and height, with the least intense category allowing for a 10-square-foot sign, while the most intense can have a 15-square-foot sign. The discussions included clarifications on various professional services that could be classified under these categories, such as chiropractic and podiatric practices.

Concerns were raised about the lack of available industrial zones for businesses to expand, emphasizing the need for orderly growth and the importance of keeping larger operations within designated business areas rather than allowing them to spread throughout agricultural zones. The commission acknowledged the challenges posed by limited land availability for commercial development and the necessity of balancing entrepreneurship with community standards.

In conclusion, the commission plans to refine the regulations regarding outdoor storage and the definitions of home-based business categories. The next steps will involve drafting amendments to the zoning ordinance to reflect these discussions, aiming to support local entrepreneurship while ensuring compliance with community standards.