Coventry — During public comment at the Nov. 22 special meeting, resident Cheryl Kane repeatedly urged the Town Council and planning staff to enforce customary home‑occupation restrictions in residential neighborhoods, saying multiple properties operate landscaping, salvage and similar businesses that produce noise, debris and heavy equipment on residential lots.

Kane said she has supplied documentation to zoning staff and police and described confrontations with a neighbor she said operates an off‑site business. “This ordinance is guidance for business activities and residential zones, period,” Kane said during undocketed public comment, urging active enforcement and warning that residents feel intimidated.

Planning Director Doug McLean explained the town’s enforcement process: an initial notice of order (a warning and corrective time frame), followed by a notice of violation with recording and, if needed, municipal‑court enforcement and fines. McLean emphasized that enforcement depends on observable on‑site activity rather than online listings and that the zoning office’s approach is primarily reactive because proactive street‑by‑street enforcement would require significant staffing.

Council members asked how residents should report suspected violations; McLean said to file a complaint with the planning office so staff can investigate and document observable activities. The council and staff agreed the process aims first to achieve compliance and then escalate enforcement if corrective steps are not taken.