11-13-2003 Planning Comm. Minutes

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 13, 2003 Sedaghat asked what difference it made if 50 vehicles were stored on the site or if 200 vehicles were stored. I{eis replied that the difference is the appearance of a junkyard Keis indicated that the City needs to work together with Valor to determine what is reasonable for both the City and the business. I{eis pointed out that he is asking Valor for reasonable suggestions. Sedaghat indicated that limiting storage to 50 repairable cars was not an adequate number for their business. Keis pointed out that Valor indicates they have 2 or 3 employees, and asked how many cars these employees can work on in one day. Peterson replied that cars and shuffled in and out depending on the parts that are available. Knudsen suggested that the request for 150 cars was not reasonable. The City Planner noted that the City's ordinance does not permit junkyards. The question is at what point does the storage of repairable cars being salvaged for auto parts becomes a junkyard. The Planner also pointed out that the Code does not allow a salvage operation as a principle use of a property. Sedaghat reported that he operates an auto body shop that works on salvageable vehicles. Sedaghat indicated that they do not have too many parts vehicles. The majority of cars are owned by their customers are may sit for 2 to 3 months waiting for parts. Customers bring their cars in and store them on the lot waiting to be repaired The customers are typically responsible for locating the needed parts and bringing them in. Once the parts are available, the vehicle is repaired and returned to the customer. Keis indicated that he is concerned about cars sitting for 2 or 3 months. Sedaghat reported that some cars sit for up to a year. Wojcik indicated that if customers are responsible for locating their own parts, then Valor does not need to store vehicles for salvage. Duray felt that 50 storage vehicles seems reasonable to him. He also indicated that it appears that Valor needs to regrade the back portion of the property. Duray suggested that the matter could be revisited in a year to determine if the storage numbers are reasonable. I{eis indicated that he was inclined to support the storage of 50 vehicles in the back and up to 30 vehicles in the front in the retails sales lot. He also indicated that adequate room would have to be reserved in the back for parking area so that the required parking could be paved if it is determined necessary. I{eis asked about outdoor storage. The City Planner indicated -4-