Working from home presents challenges

Working from home can create problems in the neighborhood.

Those next door and across the street may become concerned about traffic to the home business. Vehicle parking by visitors, employees congregating outside, building additions accommodating the commercial side and disruptions to the daily routine from a business being in that house down the block are points of contention.

We heard all of these issues when we developed Naperville's current ordinances regulating where, how and by whom home-based businesses can be managed.

During a trip to the East Coast last week I visited a house that does double duty as an office. Every one of the issues outlined above is prevalent there. A major addition was constructed to take offices out of second-floor bedrooms and into a wing devoted solely to the business at hand.

A constant stream of visitors and employees; streets blocked off due to the presence and nature of the business being conducted; and a periodic outside presence related to the existence of something other than a residence regularly disrupt the neighborhood.

Surprisingly, the neighbors don't seem to mind what goes on at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, D.C. As a taxpayer and, by extension, one of the landlords, I considered myself privileged to have had the opportunity to walk through parts of this combination home, office, museum and symbol of our country.

Although the public tour is limited to a small portion of the overall structure, the rooms we visited were awe-inspiring. The sense of history, reinforced by artwork depicting both famous and little-known past residents, is something every citizen should experience.

Even though I would like everyone to believe my ability to participate in a White House tour was somehow related to my exalted community status(?), nothing could be further from the truth. The keys were prior planning (by my wife) and the diligent follow through of Congresswoman Judy Biggert's office.

If you are planning a trip to the D.C. area, a form is available on the congresswoman's Web site (judybiggert.house.gov/ConstituentServices.aspx?section=9_) that provides the opportunity to request tour tickets not only for the White House, but also the Capitol, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Kennedy Center and Library of Congress. Tickets are limited so it is best to ask early.

While the unsettling prospect of a security check was part of the process, we all must have passed as the only other requirement was lining up at the required time to gain admission.

My home office doesn't measure up to the Oval Office, but, like our president I am but a few steps from the comforts of home at the end of my work day. It can also be surmised that the president and I often share the difficulty of leaving the office and retreating to the family quarters at day's end.

My neighbors can rest assured, though, the similarities end there. Marine One will not be landing on the lawn prior to my next business trip.

Bob Fischer is vice president of the Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation.

Contact him at bobfischer@wowway.com.