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MINUTES <br />PLANNING COi~INIISSION <br />OCTOBER 9, 2003 <br />Keis pointed out that a variance would be necessary to decrease the <br />amount of required parking. However, a hardship that is not economic in <br />nature would have to be present to warrant granting the variance. Without <br />this sort of hardship, a precedent would be set and the City has opened <br />itself up to similar requests from other property owners. <br />Knudsen suggested that the drainage problems may meet the hardship test. <br />Peterson felt that the 29 paved parking spaces required was too high. She <br />indicated that there are other businesses in .Ryan Industrial Park without <br />this much parking and noted that there is a great deal of on-street parking <br />within the Park. <br />Weihe pointed out that the reference at the December 9, 1999 Planning <br />Commission meeting to a proof of parking test. The City Planner <br />indicated if a property owner can prove that the amount of required <br />parking is excess for the particular use, the number of parking spaces can <br />be reduced. However, the amount of green area on the site must then be <br />increased to provide for the possibility of a future addition of the parking <br />area. The Planner noted that in this case, reduction in the amount of <br />parking would reduce the outdoor storage area. <br />The Planner indicated that given the drainage concerns as well as the <br />changes in the nature of the business that have resulted in more car storage <br />on the site, it may be that there is too much activity on this site. <br />Barraclough suggested that if Valor is experiencing problems with <br />drainage from an adjacent property, they should contact that property <br />owner to resolve the situation. Duray suggested that perhaps the City <br />Engineer should review the drainage of the area. The City Planner <br />indicated that if the Commission is considering the drainage has a <br />hardship for this property, then the City Engineer's comments would be <br />appropriate to measure the extent of the problem. <br />Peterson indicated that DNR Construction has indicated that they have a <br />drainage problem as well. It was their contention that the problem began <br />at the time the On-Site Sanitation property was paved. <br />Knudsen pointed out that the applicant raised three issues of concern. The <br />first is the drainage, the second consists of economic pressures for the <br />business, and the third is an evolving business model for Valor. I{nudsen <br />pointed out that the last two issues are economic in nature and would not <br />warrant the granting of a variance. However, drainage may be a hardship <br />consideration. Knudsen stated that he supported a review of the drainage <br />situation in this area. <br />~- <br />