Commission conditions home-occupation permit for Jones Lawn Mowing; orders dumpster removed by April 1

Draper City Planning Commissioners voted to approve a home-occupation conditional-use permit for Jones Lawn Mowing LLC but imposed new conditions to address neighborhood concerns about an on-site dumpster and employee parking.

Planning staff described the proposal as a lawn-mowing business operating from a corner residence in the RE2 zone. Staff noted the applicant stores equipment in a third-car garage, provides two off-street parking stalls for business vehicles and has a screened 4-yard dumpster on site. Staff also identified a driveway width issue where pavement at the back of the sidewalk exceeded the city's 30-foot maximum and recommended the driveway be brought into compliance as a condition.

Neighbors and commissioners focused on the dumpster and its service schedule. Applicant Naaman (Naiman) Jones said the dumpster is used for yard-waste (clippings and leaves) and that the hauler empties it four times a week during the season; he told the commission pickups generally occur mid-morning, about 10:30–11:00. "There's garbage truck that comes in 4 times a week so as to avoid over, you know, over filling it, to avoid smells," the applicant said. Neighbors who spoke in support — including Lisa Benjamin and Sean Benjamin, who live across the street — told the commission they hear the service and consider it no different than regular residential pickup.

Some commissioners said the frequency and truck activity (backing and beeping) could be a nuisance for tighter neighborhoods. One commissioner said the proposed four pickups "just screams at me that this might not be an appropriate home based business" without mitigation. Commissioners discussed options including restricting pickup hours or relocating the dumpster to a nearby commercial property.

After deliberation, the commission approved the permit (application 2025-0273-USE) with the following modifications to staff conditions:

- Remove the on-site dumpster and prohibit use of a dumpster on the property; the dumpster must be removed from the property by 04/01/2026; - Include the equipment trailer in condition requiring all equipment be stored inside the third-car garage; - Limit nonresident employees who come to the home to a maximum of two (the code distinguishes resident employees and nonresident employees); - Require the applicant to work with staff on compliance details and return if conditions cannot be met.

Staff and commissioners noted the approval remains subject to the remaining conditions in the staff report and to code enforcement if neighbors later report nuisances. The vote in the transcript was recorded as unanimous.