Town board approves home-occupation permit for house-plant sales at Island Park Circle

The Grand Island Town Board approved a special-use permit on Dec. 8 for Forrest Crawford, who applied to operate a small home-based business selling houseplants at 34 Island Park Circle. The clerk read the public notice and neighbors raised questions about signage, hours and lights.

Crawford told the board he planned a very small operation, by appointment only, with limited online sales and occasional event sales. "I'm only doing this because I want to be able to sell at local events and online a little bit," he said, noting he wanted to follow the town’s permit steps.

The planning board had previously recommended approval. A board member moved to accept the planning-board recommendation; the motion was seconded and the roll call recorded unanimous approval. Members noted the permit will be subject to renewal (one-year experimental status discussed) and said the board could add restrictions or conditions if neighborhood complaints arise.

The board also discussed the process for renewals and suggested better public notice and the possibility of grouping routine renewals at a single annual meeting, while preserving opportunities for residents to speak on any specific item.