Wednesday, October 3, 2001
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Wednesday, October 3, 2001 |
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Music studio idea not in harmony with county law By DAVE
HAMRICK
Emmanuel Lewis, former star of the hit television series "Webster," wants to use a guest house on his 15-acre Fayetteville property as a music studio. But Lewis and the Fayette County government aren't singing from the same page. "Help me work within the system," Lewis asked the County Commission last week after explaining that his plans don't jibe with county regulations governing home occupations. The law allows people to conduct business at home, but only family members may be employed at such businesses. Lewis said he may need to hire an engineer or a producer if he decides to turn his recording studio into a business rather than a hobby. "I love my family, but please don't make me work with them," Lewis joked. But the law is written "to protect a neighborhood," said Commissioner A.G. VanLandingham. "My neighbors are the deer," said Lewis. "No one hears the music other than those who are in the guest house." He asked the group to consider changing the law so that those with large enough properties could have one or two employees on site. "More people are working in their homes," said Lewis. "Why not make it a little more convenient?" "To open that door could be very difficult for us," said commission Chairman Greg Dunn. The law is designed to allow small home occupations but to force full-fledged businesses into areas zoned commercial or industrial, said Kathy Zeitler, zoning director. Commissioners said they would consider Lewis' request and continue the dialogue, but they didn't hold out much hope. "It would be impossible to write an ordinance for every business," said VanLandingham.
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