Oak Grove councilors on Sept. 29 spent more than an hour discussing interim-use permits (IUPs) and home-occupation rules and agreed to pursue clearer, numeric guidance for the planning commission to review.

City staff reported there are roughly 81 active IUPs in Oak Grove. The discussion focused on large, site-based operations that use accessory buildings or outdoor storage, rather than smaller in-home offices that do not require an IUP.

Council members and staff raised recurring concerns about traffic, heavy equipment, outdoor storage of trailers and trucks, noise and environmental risks on properties served by private wells. Councilmember West and others urged clearer, enforceable limits tied to objective measures — for example, employees per day, customer trips, or a linear-feet limit for outdoor storage — rather than open-ended “level of impact” language.

Staff and council also discussed inspection frequency. Many commercial and industrial properties receive annual fire inspections; home-based businesses authorized under IUPs currently face a five-year renewal/inspection cycle unless there is a complaint. Councilmembers suggested higher-risk uses (auto repair, heavy equipment) be inspected more often.

Council discussed but did not impose a moratorium. Staff noted a formal moratorium would require public notice and hearings; the council decided instead to ask staff to return with a short list of 3–5 specific changes and to put the issue back on the October agenda for additional direction and possible referral to the planning commission.

Mayor Ralph summarized the consensus as direction to prepare objective standards (lot size triggers, outdoor storage caps, employee counts, traffic expectations) and to consider inspection schedules for higher-risk uses.

The planning commission will be asked to review suggested amendments and return recommendations to the council for possible ordinance changes.