.jpg)
A different perspective on a home occupation operating out of a Racy Acres residence was shared last Thursday at Buena Vista City Council’s meeting.
At several previous Council meetings, neighbors critical of Sheena Herring’s home occupation complained about the business. Last Thursday, Herring’s supporters showed up to defend the home-based business.
Herring operates S & Crew Sales out of her home on Edgewood Road. She conducts online auctions in which people bid on products that they later pick up at her house. Neighbors have complained about the traffic the business generates.
“I enjoy watching the show,” Naomi Williams said of the online auctions. She said she and others find “great deals” from the auctions. Most of the clients are older people and shut-ins, she said. “Sheena helps many who come to her in need. … She brightens our days.”
The average age of Herring’s clients are in their 60s and many are unable to leave their homes, said Mary Beth Wimer. “The auctions help them have access to basic essentials. It’s not just all fun. It fosters a sense of fellowship. These are responsible adults. I’m perplexed over why opening up a business from her home has been such a point of contention.”
“As an older person dealing with anxiety – PTSD – I can’t do crowds,” said Ellen Austin. “I’m not the only one. There are others who deal with health-related issues. She’s just there to sell things. I truly think the business helps her. She lost her son. She’s always helping in the community. … Please do not take away something that is so beneficial.”
Ruby Hotinger said she’s 79 and “can’t walk that far.” Herring, she said, “does good for everybody. I buy toilet paper and detergent from her. … Nobody’s going to tell me how long I can stay at her house … She’s being picked on. It’s communism. If she gives me a deal, I’m going to run with it. She’s one of the nicest people there. This picking has got to stop.”
Saying he doesn’t “have a dog in this fight,” Lew Hamilton remarked, “I know Sheena and I’m pro-business.” He recalled that he went though a zoning battle of his own in the county recently with folks who didn’t want him to open up a business. “Buena Vista cannot afford to not be pro-business. Covid sent businesses into homes. There are [auto mechanic] shops in neighborhoods. We need clean businesses. You [Council] invite good, clean businesses to the city.”
David Herring defended his wife’s business, saying it generates, on average, three cars per hour during its hours of operation. He said she is trying to operate within the city’s home occupation regulations. She’s attempting to address the parking issues and a sign has been removed. He took issue with one rule, that no one outside the family can help her with the business. She’s 66 and has health issues, he said. She needs help with lifting heavy objects. The ordinance was written in pre-internet days, he pointed out.
Sheena Herring said she doesn’t think it’s right for the city to be able to tell her who can come to her house and how long they can stay. She said she doesn’t want people monitoring her visitors. She said that children play in the street in front of her house, that a neighbor’s free-range chickens come into her yard and that a neighbor has had a dump truck parked at their house for weeks.
The people who come to her house, she said, are mostly over 50 and don’t stay long. At the city’s suggestion, she said, she may be able to park her cars on the street in front of her house during business hours so that her customers can park in her driveway. Also, she may be able to conduct business by appointment so she’ll be better able to direct her customers where to park.
City Manager Jason Tyree said he and other city staff have met with Herring and the neighbors separately on two occasions to try to assess the situation and look for ways to bring the business into compliance with the city’s home occupations rules. He noted that it’s been many years since the ordinance was updated so staff will be looking to recommend changes be made.
The ordinance states that only members of the household may work in the business and that the products sold must be produced at the house. The city has been enforcing the former of these provisions but not the latter, he said. Enforcing the latter, he said, would jeopardize numerous home occupations across the city.
Tom Roberts, the city’s director of community development whose office enforces zoning rules, said there are 107 home occupations with active business licenses operating in the city. He said he has been looking at ordinances in other jurisdictions to see what regulations there are elsewhere that the city might want to consider adopting. He suggested having a meeting with Herring and the neighbors to see if they could hash out their differences and reach an understanding.
Council member Ron Cash said the citizens’ comments had “enlightened” him about the various issues that have been raised. He said he needed time to think over what had been said.
“I’m feeling sadness to see the neighborhood full of contention and animosity,” said Mayor Tyson Cooper. “We are the Fighting Blues. We should not be fighting each other.” He said he’d spent much time in prayer over the situation. He expressed hope that a solution can be found that the neighborhood can live with.
Steve Webb made a motion that the issue be tabled until Council’s first meeting in November. Cash seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
In the meantime, it was suggested, the various issues raised could be researched by Council members and staff, and that perhaps the neighbors and Herring would be able to hold conversations and reach a mutually agreeable resolution to the conflict.
