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business would like to do. Commissioner Ziebarth added that a code applies generally; it is difficult <br />• to limit it to a specific case. There are other strategies for a business to generate revenue within that <br />site, but coming up with those is not the task of the Planning Commission. <br />In response to a questions from Commissioner Heideman, the City Attorney said that to restrict this <br />use to this particular property a new subzone would be required with its own uses defined, and pulling <br />out exceptions like this could violate the comprehensive plan. Heideman raised the precedent of the <br />gun shop and adult business exceptions in the code. Worthington affirmed that these exceptions were <br />"carved out" by a State mandate, and that is not the case here. Harris summed up her objections to <br />the amendment: fragmentation of the comprehensive plan for the benefit of one business, security <br />issues, costs to the City. <br />Mr. DeLeo asked noted that basement storage is allowed as a conditional use in B-3. He says he <br />doesn't see the harm in allowing use of the space that it was built for. Attorney Jamnik informed the <br />Commission of the history of the interim use permit legislation in Minnesota as giving a durational <br />limit on what is, in effect, a conditional use permit. Commissioner Ziebarth asked Staff if an interim <br />use is designed to be temporary until, say a building is torn down, or if it is a trial. Ms. Worthington <br />said that the Farmer's Market was instituted as an interim use so the City would have the option of <br />terminating or changing the use if the Market created problems for the neighborhood: it was atry-out. <br />Commissioner Heideman said that when the comprehensive plan was adopted in 1991, Harvest States <br />was still in the building and had a much greater impact on traffic and the surrounding neighborhoods <br />than TIES will ever have. The property is unique; she is not sure the conditions that would allow <br />storage their could be duplicated anywhere else in the City. She does not know how to reconcile this <br />with the comprehensive plan and the security issues. Ziebarth says she reconciles it by asking what <br />• are the benefits, what are the risks, who gains, what is the cost? Harris asked if TIES could let the <br />space be used without charging. Worthington answered that it is the use that is at question, not the <br />revenue; the use was still be illegal. <br />Heideman asked how these same concerns were addressed when Harvest States occupied the <br />property. Worthington replied that Harvest States' use of the space was accessory to their primary <br />business -storage of their vehicle fleet, etc. The City's concern is that there would be no way to <br />know what the lessees are storing on a day to day basis. The frequent inspection necessary would be <br />a burden to the city. She agreed that Harvest States could have stored hazardous materials there <br />without the knowledge of the City. <br />Commissioner Ryan moved that the application be denied, Lageson seconded. The motion passed, 5 <br />in favor, 2 opposed. This could be included as part of the Commission's ongoing review of the <br />zoning ordinance <br />Commissioner Ziebarth moved that the Commission look at the question of leased storage space in <br />detail at some future time. DeLeo seconded. Motion passed. <br />INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS <br />Councilmember Lindstrom gave the Commission an update on the ordinance on cars for sale. The <br />Council did pass the ordinance with one modification. Larpenteur was taken off the list of streets <br />named. The reason is because Larpenteur provides the only parking for apartments along the only <br />piece of Larpenteur where parking is allowed. <br />City of Falcon Heights -Planning Commission Meeting of June 22, 2004 -Page 6 of 7 <br />