PCAgenda_94Feb28 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City of Falcon Heights Memorandum DATE: 20 February 1994 TO: Mayor and Councilmembers Planning Commission FROM: Susan Hoyt, City Administrator RE: Study related to location of pawn shops and HIGH IMPACT secondhand goods stores Background While undergoing a study of uses in its commercial zoning districts, the City of Falcon Heights's Planning Commission and staff studied the suitability of specific uses in the city's commercial districts including pawn shops and High Impact secondhand goods stores. The proposed zoning revisions clarify that pawn shops are not allowed. Secondhand goods stores which engage in the sale of any of the following items are not allowed: any used automobiles; electronic equipment such as stereos, cameras, computers, televisions, audio appliances; jewelry and precious gems; or guns (hereinafter, referred to as High Impact secondhand goods stores). The City of Falcon Heights's commercial districts are designed to serve the neighborhood or community. They are not general business districts nor is Falcon Heights a regional shopping area. The close proximity between the commercial areas and residential dwellings, typically 40 feet to 100 feet, requires careful attention to possible impacts from nearby commercial uses. Study Crime data. Pawn shops and High Impact secondhand goods stores (selling easily fenced items) are frequently part of the cycle of crime by receiving and selling stolen goods. The planning commission and staff reviewed the crime data associated with these uses. Crime data on these uses was collected from several Twin City municipalities (Attachment 1). The information gathered found that the number of reported crimes for pawn shops and High Impact secondhand goods stores varied with individual stores, but that as a group there were more reported crimes than with other commercial uses permitted in the city's commercial district.