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MINUTES <br />PLANNING COMMISSION <br />SEPTEMBER 8, 2016 <br />REZONING & The City Planner stated that the applicant, Precision Landscape & Tree, <br />SUBDIVISION AT has requested to rezone their property from I -P, Industrial Park, to PUD, <br />50 SOUTH <br />Planned Unit Development. He stated the applicants would split the <br />OWASSO <br />property into two parcels to accommodate the construction of a separate <br />BOULEVARD; <br />industrial building for multiple tenants, and to allow for common access <br />PRECISION <br />and added outdoor storage that Precision Tree would use. He explained <br />LANDSCAPE & <br />that Precision Tree has utilized a lot of their property for the outdoor <br />TREE <br />storage needs of their business. The City Planner explained that a <br />significant portion of this property is covered by a St. Paul Waterworks <br />easement so quite a bit of the lot is not usable. The City Planner reviewed <br />the actual usable area for each lot as provided by the City Engineer. <br />The City Planner explained that industrial park zoning districts <br />significantly control the allowed amount of outdoor storage area, which is <br />why the applicants are requesting the property be rezoned to Planned Unit <br />Development. He stated that Precision Tree has had difficulty over the <br />years conforming to the amount of outdoor storage allowed, and want the <br />flexibility of PUD zoning to increase the amount of outdoor storage they <br />can have. The City Planner noted that they have sought these approvals in <br />previous years, but were not ready to complete the process. He stated the <br />Planning Commission should consider if this proposal is consistent with <br />the development goals of the industrial district. He noted that the PUD <br />zoning allows some flexibility, but it stills need to meet the overall goals <br />of the area. <br />Reg Plowman, with RJ Marco Construction, stated he is helping Precision <br />Tree clean up their property and control the site better. He explained that <br />Precision Tree needs more office space and would occupy one-third of the <br />new building, and other smaller businesses would lease the remaining <br />space. He stated they can address some additional screening he noticed <br />might be needed. He noted that their current building is used mainly to do <br />maintenance on their equipment. <br />Buesing asked how much outdoor storage Precision Tree is asking for. <br />The City Planner stated about 24,000 square feet, almost five times what is <br />allowed in the industrial zoning district. Buesing stated he is concerned <br />about rezoning to a PUD and is it opening up for others to ask for the same <br />thing. He stated that he likes the proposal, but is just concerned what <br />could happen with other area properties if this is approved. The City <br />Planner stated that Planned Unit Developments are looked at on a case by <br />case basis, so the next business would need to convince the Planning <br />Commission why they want to be rezoned. Schwalbach noted that he <br />thinks it is a good proposal for this site, and people driving by do not care <br />what the site is zoned, only what it looks like, and this would be screened <br />Wes <br />