PZ 03/23/2011 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning & Zoning Commission) Local Planning Agency March 23, 2011 Page 5 Sixth Item of business: MISC 11.03: Cash for Gold. Workshop for proposed amendments to various portions of the Unified Land Development Regulations (ULDR) regulating business use for cash for gold businesses. Mr. Jason Sorensen, Planning Technician, reviewed the information provided in his memorandum dated March 23, 2011, to the City of Casselberry Planning and Zoning Commission (a copy is on file in the Community Development Department). Mr. Sorensen presented a PowerPoint Presentation to the Commission (a copy of the presentation is attached and made a part of the minutes). He said regulations could be placed on businesses which solely purchase gold from customers but this measure of regulation could be easily avoided by way of the business selling other products as well. He said placing a regulation based on the percentage of goods sold versus gold bought would require a considerable amount of staff time. Mr. Sorensen said due to the difficulty in defining "Cash for Gold" establishments while still allowing jewelry stores to purchase gold and the staff time needed to regulate sales and monitoring the market price for gold, staff recommends denial of further regulations on such businesses. Mr. Parkhurst asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to speak in favor of, or in opposition to, the request. No one came forward. A brief discussion ensued regarding regulations for cash for gold businesses in Florida and other states and the elimination of human signs. In response to the Commission's question regarding any crime associated with this type of businesses, Mr. Sorensen said he discussed this with Chief McNeil, Casselberry Police Department, and he said there were no known problems associated with these businesses. Ms. Sandra Smith, Chief Planner, stated that she spoke with Ms. Dixon regarding the Business Tax Receipt activity for cash for gold businesses and said that Ms. Dixon has not received any inquiries in quite awhile regarding this type of business in the City. Ms. Smith stated that the Seminole County Sheriff's Department monitors the cash for gold businesses for all the Police Departments throughout the County. She said the County maintains a good database that provides a means to monitor articles that are being bought and sold throughout the County.