Worth another look. . . An easy target for myth-makers: Re-zoning (or upzoning) to allow ‘home occupations’ and that mythical city called Key West

Zoning can be a confusing thing to understand. And it doesn’t help when some who purport to “know the code” get the facts wrong. There remains a persistent buzz about zoning in Lake Worth that continues to churn in the rumor mill, albeit quietly of late, about some elected’s desire to change zoning to allow for ‘home occupations’ throughout the City—like some other wonderfully ‘tolerant’ cities do—Key West is always on that short-list.

There's just one problem: it’s not true.

It’s easy to get carried away with what you think a situation may be in another city. The viewpoint you hold may be influenced by anecdotal evidence, word of mouth, tourism advertising, political manipulation, etc. There’s the belief by some that Key West is a thriving place for artists and crafters working out of their homes akin to a Garden of Eden and Lake Worth should follow their example.

Well. I checked their code and Key West is as strict or moreso than Lake Worth’s when it comes to home occupations in residential neighborhoods. So the image some have of Key West’s ‘progressive’ artsy mystique is untrue as it relates to what you can do. It’s also easy to not know what is zoned residential and what is zoned commercial if you are just visiting a town and you don’t have a zoning map with you. How many people carry zoning maps around with them?

There are other cities around the nation that can serve as models for such an ordinance if it ever does become a legitimate topic of debate, but I caution everyone not get carried away with romantic notions that may not be based in reality. I know that can be a challenge here in the charming little City of Lake Worth, especially for those such as Commissioner Ryan Maier who. . .

. . . prior to being elected complained about traffic and congestion in their own particular Downtown neighborhood. And also complain about traffic and congestion in other neighborhoods throughout the City. So. . . ‘home occupations’ with employees, visitors, customers, and deliveries is a good idea? Try to square that logic.