10-13-2004 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 13, 2004 in place since one of her requests this evening had to do with testing of the wood-bw-ning stove. Fahey aslzed about fencing and screening of the outdoor storage area Groholski indicated that she realizes Precision Tree is required to screen the outdoor storage area. However, noted that there are other businesses in the area that have outdoor storage that is not screened. Groholski asked the zoning of these businesses. The City Administrator indicated that those properties are likely zoned Industrial-Park, and stated that he did not believe those businesses had the type of outdoor storage that Precision Tree has. Groholski indicated that Slumberland has racks of shelving and wood pallets being stored. She also noted that they have trash containers sitting in front of one of their doors. The Administrator indicated that the shelving and wood pallets would be a violation. However, he was not sure about the trash containers. Fahey indicated that the City may be a different levels of code enforcement with businesses in the area, but code enforcement is conducted with an even hand. Fahey noted that the City has been working with Precision Tree for a year to resolve the code enforcement issues on their property. There has been little progress made in that time. Fahey also noted that Precision Tree had installed a wood burning heating system without a permit, and the City has been trying to address that situation after the fact. The City Administrator noted that Precision Tree is required to keep all equipment without the paved area on the south of their building and this outdoor storage area is to be screened. Groholski asked if vehicles driving into the Precision Tree yard must be immediately sent into the outdoor storage area. Allan suggested that vehicles and equipment must be within the outdoor storage area during the evening and weekend hours when the business is closed. Groholski indicated that it was difficult to fit their trucks within the outdoor storage area. Groholski indicated that the issue is a financial one for them, and noted that it has been difficult to keep the business financially viable given rising costs such as fuel and insurance. Groholski indicated that without additional outdoor storage, the operation of the business is extremely difficult. Storing that equipment oft=site is just an added expense. Fahey suggested that the site may not work for the Precision Tree business given its outdoor storage constraints. Fahey also noted that there is no basis for granting a variance based ou economic issues. If the City were to 3