06-22-05 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL JUNE 22, 2005 storage in their highest industrial zoning. The other Cwo cities allow only a limited amount of outdoor storage. Blesener stated that the City has had a couple of requests for outdoor storage thaC indicate to him that Little Canada's standards are lower than those of the surrounding cities. Blesener felt that outdoor storage should be eliminated from the I-P District. He noted that Little Canada does not have a lot of I-P property left to develop, and given the majority has visibility from the freeway, eliminating outdoor storage will improve the City's appearance from that site line. Blesener pointed out the union hall development and the positive image that has from the freeway. Jeff Hobson, Lapam Hickey Steel, reported that they are considering the purchase of 3250 Spruce Street, the Hillcrest property. Hobson noted that the current occupant has a CUP for outdoor storage, and asked the impact of any changes on this site. Hobson reported that his firm does not require much outdoor storage, but did not want to give up any rights that the property currently has. Allan asked if Lapam Hickey Steel was considering purchasing both lots. Hobson reported that they were. He indicated that they would operate a steel service center from this site. Should the company need to expand, Hobson suggested that the building would be added onto in the area where the outdoor storage exists. Blesener pointed out that if the City decides to eliminate outdoor storage from the I-P District, Lapam Hickey Steel would not lose anything since the current CUP for the property is specific to a telecommunications company and would not apply to a steel business. Additionally, the current ordinance does not allow outdoor storage in a front lot. Therefore, if Lapam Hickey Steel requested a CUP for outdoor storage, the existing outdoor storage location would require a variance. Blesener noted that City adheres very strictly to the hardship test for a variance. Hobson stated that the outdoor storage is not what attracted them to the building. He pointed out, however, that it would cost them a lot of money to take down the fencing and removed the blacktop that exists for the outdoor storage area. LaValle asked what type of outdoor storage the steel company would require. Hobson replied that they may need storage for a truck or two. He indicated that the building will accommodate inside storage of steel. LaValle indicated that the occasional delivery truck was not an issue. The City Planner pointed out that the Code allows for the parking of semi- trucks with trailers at loading docks. That type of parking would not be