The Oakdale Planning Commission on Dec. 5 approved a conditional use permit for a home-based dental workshop at 4066 Goodwin Avenue, amid conflicting neighborhood testimony about noise and odors.

City planner Luke told the commission the applicant operates a dental workshop producing crowns and dentures from a garage on the R-1 property and that staff found the request consistent with the city's conditional-use review criteria. Staff recommended approval subject to four conditions: hours of operation limited to 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; no more than one outside (nonfamily) employee; all signage must comply with city rules; and the applicant must obtain and maintain any required state or federal licenses or approvals.

In public comment, neighbor Robert Betts said he can hear work from the garage "late at night even, you know, 10:11 o'clock at night" and expressed concern about a garage vent that he said emits chemical fumes. By contrast, neighbor Mike Marone, who lives across the street, said he has lived nearby for 38 years and "we never hear any noise" and that he sees no negative impact from the operation. Both speakers said they have long-standing ties to the neighborhood.

Applicant Zai Cha told the commission he lives at 4066 and said he was "not sure how we even got to where we are now," denied significant noise or venting concerns and said the workshop occupies a single, separated garage stall. In response to commissioners, Luke said the city ordinance focuses on externalities — such as customer visits, nonstandard deliveries, noise or other neighborhood impacts — and that obtaining any necessary state or federal approvals is the applicant's responsibility.

After closing the public hearing, a commissioner moved to approve the permit and the motion passed by voice vote. The agenda and staff report describe the site as 4066 Goodwin Avenue; the motion recorded on the floor referenced "4266 Goodwin Avenue," which appears to be a transcription/clerical error. The commission's action approved the conditional use permit as presented by staff, with the four conditions listed above.

The permit allows the applicant to continue operating the dental workshop under the specified limits; the record indicates the city will not assume responsibility for any state or federal licensing requirements. The commission did not record a roll-call vote; the approval was by voice vote and the motion was recorded as passed.