Atlas Twp.- For most of the past 20 years, township trustee Scott Statson’s commute to work has been rather quick.
‘I often work from home,? said Statson. ‘For me, I see business as individuals?100 years ago if someone had a business idea they’d run with it. Many companies grew from self-employment’there’s no more optimum time than now for people to start up businesses.?
Statson along with the township planning commission will take a look at home business ordinances at their next meeting at 7:30 p.m., April 15 at the township hall. ‘It’s tough to track just home many home-based businesses are out there,? said Brian Parthum, senior planning analyst for South Eastern Michigan Council of Governments. ‘We are not aware of the number (of home-based businesses) in the recent economic downturn. There are many factors that determine the number of home-based businesses’credit lines to buyouts are all factors.?

‘With the sagging economy, many people will be looking to start home businesses,? he said. ‘We hope to encourage home-based businesses. Many residents have received buy-outs or severance packages and plan on investing in a home business. Our concern is when those businesses cross the line between residential and commerical’we allow some, but we just don’t want other residents threatened.?
Township planning officials have two primary concerns regarding business ordinances.
‘It goes two ways,? said Rick Misek, township planning commission chairperson. ‘Home businesses operating in a residential district and residential uses in a commerical or industrial district.?
Misek emphasized that the township is not attempting to encourage or discourage home businesses, but rather to make their usage more feasible while protecting the rights of homeowners.
While the number of homebased businesses are unknown in the community, according to the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis, the number of home based businesses have increased.
From 2001-2006 Oakland County self employed increased by 42,500 or 33 percent from 128,000 in 2001 to 170,000 in 2006.