The Parowan Planning & Zoning Commission on Jan. 7 tabled consideration of a home‑occupation permit for "Mama Lane’s Bakery and Farmstand" after neighbors and staff raised questions about parking, fire risk and regulatory compliance.

Brooke Gleason, the city staff member who handles home‑occupation and business licenses, told the commission that the applicant, Elaine Randall, had notified neighbors within 300 feet and that the city had received three formal objections. Gleason summarized the application as a small bakery and farm‑stand proposal operating from a residence and said the protests automatically triggered commission review.

Susan Seppi, who said she lives about three doors from the proposed operation, read a list of concerns and twice asked whether the proposal met Utah’s cottage/home‑based food rules. "One of my main concerns is the home cottage law," Seppi said, noting requirements such as a separate kitchen for commercial food production and possible inspections. Seppi also worried about fire safety in a neighborhood served by a volunteer fire department and about strain on local water and sewer infrastructure.

Elaine Randall, the applicant, said she has previously run Mama Lane’s Bakery at a retail location and is proposing limited farm‑stand hours (Thursday through Saturday) with most sales handled by preorder and quick curbside pickup. "I have my food handler's card," Randall told the commission, and said she had obtained required Department of Agriculture and Food registration and would use a residential oven because the cottage rules prohibit industrial equipment at the site.

Public Works Director Aldo Biossi said grease from restaurants can cause significant sewer problems, but added that "if there is no grease going down, then that's not so much of an issue." Commissioners and staff discussed restricting activities, limiting hours or the number of cars, and noted that the city's home‑occupation rules require the business to be operated by family members on the premises and allow revocation of a conditional permit if terms are violated.

After discussion, multiple commissioners said they wanted a site visit, copies of the applicant's permits and consultation with the fire chief before deciding. The commission moved to table the item to the next meeting and approved the motion by voice vote; staff said the item would return after the requested information and checks were completed.

The commission will review the application again at its next regular meeting after staff gathers the applicant’s documentation, the fire‑marshals’ input and the results of a site visit.