Business & Tech

Residents Oppose Home Business

City council hears complaints

Angry residents voiced concerns to council members on Tuesday Sept. 14 over an unlicensed business in a residential neighborhood on Morningside Drive. 

USANA Health Sciences is a multi-level marketing company that has held meetings with upwards of 70 people six nights a week at Nan Lin's home on 827 Morningside Dr., according to residents.

"My neighborhood has become a parking lot," said Holly Borghello of 724 Tioga Dr.

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Complaints over noise and limited parking started in early June, and residents addressed city officials on Aug. 9. Consequently, the city gave USANA a month's time to apply for a business license, but later granted the company until Sept. 30 to comply with Millbrae business codes, according to Community Services Director Leslie Parks. In addition to a business license, the company needs a home occupation permit, $210 and $40 annually, respectively.

"Why is the city even thinking of issuing a business license in a residential neighborhood," Borghello said.

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Residents said Lin told them that unless the city forced him to shut down, the meetings would continue.

"We're looking into an occupational license," said Lin, who runs the home-based business. "But we're going to move to an office in San Francisco soon, so I won't apply for a business license in Millbrae."

On Sept. 14 Community Preservation Specialist Sue Harris, in charge of code inspections, informed Lin that license applications would not be approved until he proves meetings have ceased and the company has found an alternate location.

Harris refused to comment, saying top officials ordered her to have no contact with the news media.

USANA, whose business model is comparable to Mary Kay's, was founded in 1992 and sells nutritional supplements. Lin and his growing staff are one of many product distributors throughout the country.


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