01-11-2018 Planning Commission Packet

Home Browse Search

granted taking into account the use is still in harmony with the general purpose and intent of our ordinances and consistent in how it’s applied. As a result, Mr. Meyer is seeking to be allowed outdoor storage in front of the building because he feels he is still maintaining the visibility of having a prominent entrance to the building and altering the other two side doors as employee service doors only. Based on being consistent with our handling of the two similar variance requests within Ryan Industrial Park, city staff would recommend that no outdoor storage be located in front of the principal building (west building). This would also require Mr. Meyer to reduce the small sliver of outdoor storage on the western edge of the property since that outdoor storage area proposed also encroaches in front of the entrance door to the building. Staff believes that outdoor storage in front of the East Storage Building is reasonable as this is an accessory building. The Planning Commission does have the flexibility in recommending approval of Mr. Meyer’s request as presented if you feel the threshold for varying from our code has been met because the site plan submitted is within reason and intent of the PUD District given the practical difficulty that exists with the limited rear yard area. In addition to reconfiguring the layout of the site, Mr. Meyer has also changed how the outdoor storage areas will be screened. The survey has confirmed that the existing chain link fence on the south side of the property is located within the City’s right-of-way. As a result, Mr. Meyer is now proposing to replace all of the existing fencing with a new, solid, six-foot high wood fence in the front yard and eight foot high in the side and rear yard. Mr. Meyer is aware that the new fence will need to be located entirely on his property. One suggestion staff had was to consider installing the wood fence around the designated outdoor storage areas as a means to control those spaces from encroaching past the approved storage areas. Mr. Meyer feels that installing the fence in that manner would hinder his maneuverability of equipment in and out of those designated areas. As a solution, Mr. Meyer has proposed installing temporary curb stops (spaced 10 feet apart) around those designated areas as a means to better delineate the storage area. With regard to the fencing, the proposed heights do comply with city ordinances. However, within the required front yard (along Ryan Drive) the material allowed by City Code 903.020.F.8.c would be either chain link or woven wire to allow maximum visibility. This section of our Fence ordinance does have a provision to allow for a Special Purpose Fence by Conditional Use Permit if it is determined that construction, height, or length should differ from this requirement. With that, the applicant is requesting approval of a CUP to allow up to a six foot high solid wood fence along Ryan Drive as proposed. 903.020.9. Special Purpose Fences. a. Fences for special purposes and fences differing in construction, height or length may be permitted in any district in the City by issuance of a conditional use permit, except as provided for in Section 903.020.F.9.b. of this Ordinance. Lastly, Mr. Meyer is proposing to pave, stripe, and install curbing in the designated parking and drive aisle areas. The two designated outdoor storage areas on the site will be either Class V or recycled material. In the I-1 District CUP regulations for Outdoor Storage 914.040.G.11 it states that “the storage area shall be paved with asphalt, concrete, or other material approved by the City Council”. This form of other material in the outdoor storage areas would be consistent with what we’ve permitted in the Ryan Industrial Park. Therefore, city staff recommends approval of allowing Class V or recycled material within the approved designated outdoor storage areas only.