MLE Poll Results

The results of the March 4, 2009 poll (whether or not a business should be allowed to operate in the MLE) are the following:

YES: 31%
NO: 69%

I think it is important to add some of the commentary that was offered along with member votes. But first, defining terms is important and there it should be mentioned there was some confusion as to what a "business" , "home office" and "telecommuting" mean. "Telecommuting" is not the same thing as operating a "business" out of a home in the MLE-a business could have the MLE homeowner's address as the business address, could meet customers in the MLE home and have employees work there. It is important to make a distinction between a “Home Business or Office” (these two terms are synonymous) and “telecommuting”. These are separate and distinguishable activities. “Telecommuting” in today’s vernacular, is not a violation of either MLE rules & regs or the Township ordinances. “Telecommuting” defined as someone connecting remotely to their office or place of business.

Here are some member comments:

1) "Yes....can have one person sitting on the computer running an internet business..."
(MY NOTE: many people had similar comments to this one: they wanted to distinguish between someone sitting in their home and operating a business without having customers, employees and other characteristics of a more "traditional" business. I did not get a sense from their commentary that they really had an opposing opinion of how the character of the MLE neighborhood should be from many of those that voted "No") ;
2) "many people work from home offices and it is too restrictive to say that no business can be operated from the home within MLE";
3) "The Declaration, By Laws, and other accompanying documents are among the most ambiguous, "mistake-filled", and poorly written documents..."
4) "No..a business should not operate within MLE...";
5) "This is a residential community and the deed restriction was in place @ the time of my purchase. The dues structure is equal across all properties and was not designed to accommodate individuals who are avoiding business expenses by operating in a non-commercial area."

I thank you all for participating and I believe a consensus can be formed and a procedure implemented that will prevent what just happened with regards to 23 Kingsbrook Ct. variance.