3/9/2010

By CHRIS HUNTER

Salina Journal

City commissioners voted unanimously at their meeting Monday to allow window tinting as a home business.

Window tinting will be allowed as an exception to the city's home business ordinance.

"This allows people to do business on a small basis and low-key," said Dean Andrew, planning and zoning administrator.

The exception was proposed by Delwin and Lisa Newman, 805 Sherman.

Andrew said Newman had fought the issue in municipal court for 11 years before approaching the planning department about allowing an exception.

"This (the commission meeting) is the forum for this," Andrew said. "Municipal courts don't change policy."

Andrew said there had been a "general prohibition" against automotive businesses at homes.

"I'm going to assume these auto businesses were not allowed out of sheer nature," Commissioner Norman Jennings said. "You will have a string of vehicles, is that a correct assumption?"

Andrew said noise and concern of materials have stopped automotive businesses from being allowed in residences in the past, but that tinting is a quiet business and the owners have already proposed limiting the business to three cars a day.

Mayor Luci Larson said she was concerned the proposal would "open a can of worms."

Andrew said it would not because tinting was specific.

Doors for car wash OK'd

Commissioners also approved garage doors and a dryer system for car washes at Casey's General Store locations at 215 W. Crawford and 1100 E. Iron.

A concern about noise was raised but Jeff Roesner of Casey's said the back garage doors being closed would limit the noise.

Roesner said the company would close both the front and rear doors if noise complaints were made.

Commissioners approved the new dryers and garage doors by a unanimous vote.

nReporter Chris Hunter can be reached at 822-1422 or by e-mail at chunter@salina.com.

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