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MINUTES <br />PLANNING COMMISSION <br />JANUARY 8, 2004 <br />Knudsen stated that he did not question the importance of Xcel's tree <br />trimming maintenance, but pointed out that the issue of outdoor storage <br />has been a big one for the City. He further noted the redevelopment <br />efforts the City has undertaken along Rice Street, and felt that the <br />combination of these two issues increased his concern. Knudsen noted <br />that while the view of the substation was not the best, the parking of tree <br />trimming vehicles in front of the substation worsened the impact. <br />Wojcik asked how many years tree trimming vehicles have been parked at <br />that location. Jurek estimated that Xcel has utilized this property for <br />parking tree-trimming vehicles since 1955 or 1956. <br />The City Planner noted that the property is zoned General Business (B-3) <br />which does not provide for outdoa~ storage. Knudsen asked if the City <br />wa~tted to open the door to outdoor storage in the B-3 zone. <br />The Planner indicated that if the City was inclined to allow outdoor <br />storage as is being requested, the ordinance would be drafted so that <br />outdoor storage is only allowed in a B-3 District as an accessory use to a <br />public utility. <br />Knudsen asked the Planner about the amount of screening proposed. The <br />City Planner recommended a more intensive screening than what is <br />shown. While the vegetation selected was good, the Planner <br />recommended a staggered double row of plantings. <br />Knudsen asked where access is to the parking area. The Planner pointed <br />out that the access is off Rice Street. I{nudsen suggested the access be <br />moved to Woodlyn Avenue and that the area be totally screened from Rice <br />Street. Knudsen felt that even if the CUP is not approved, Xcel should be <br />requested to provide screening on this property. <br />Wojcik felt that after 48 years of utilizing this property for the storage of <br />tree U•imming vehicles, the City should allow this use to continue. <br />Duray stated that he was not in favor of the CUP and felt that the parked <br />tree trimming trucks on this property was an eyesore. Duray felt that even <br />with screening the outdoor storage use would be an eyesore. Duray <br />pointed out the City's efforts in redevelopment along Rice Street and felt <br />this request was a move away from those efforts. Knudsen felt that the <br />substation without the trucks would be less of an eyesore than the <br />substation with the trucks. Duray agreed, and felt there should be <br />screening required for the substation itself. Duray felt that the City owed <br />it to all the business owners in the area who are developing their property. <br />3- <br />