05-26-2021 Workshop Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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I-P, Industrial Park I-2, Industrial-Office Park Minimum Parking Ratios in the Commercial and Industrial Districts: In the General Development Regulations chapter, it is proposed that there be no minimum parking ratios for future commercial or industrial land uses. Typical standards for commercial or industrial parking, which are usually copied blindly from one city to the next, have often resulted in an excess number of spaces used, inefficient land use, increased water run- off, excess reflected heat, increased development costs, and reduced walkability. As an alternative, the City would rely on the judgment of the private sector to build enough parking for its intended use, knowing that on-street parking is not allowed along most major streets, that any parking allowed on a public street may be revoked, and that very few if any businesses could survive in this suburban location without auto parking. The developers’ site planners will likely fall back on past standards or slightly less. Future owners or occupants of such buildings will judge for themselves if there is enough parking for their use, considering other businesses that may have to share the parking lot. Little Canada would not be the first city to make this change in Minnesota or across the nation. Alternatives include (1) leaving the regulations as they are or (2) reducing the minimum ratios somewhat. Districts to Be Used without Changes: The floodplain, shoreland and public districts would be incorporated without change, as would the 2020 planned-unit district. The wetland district would be made consistent with the 1991 Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act. No changes are proposed for manufactured housing, signs or adult businesses. Conditional Uses: Many of the Conditional Uses in the commercial and the residential districts would become Permitted Uses with certain conditions stated in the code. That would allow more buildings to be approved by City staff without having to go through the Planning Commission and City Council, which is time-consuming. It would also ensure that the conditions are clearly stated before a site plan is drawn. Those conditions will be shown in Chapter 914, Specific Development Requirements, which we will describe to the Council in a future memo. Structure of the Code: The lists of Permitted, Conditional and Accessory land uses would be consolidated into three tables, one each for the residential, commercial and industrial districts. Presently, such lists are shown in paragraph form in each separate district, making comparison more difficult. Tables of Dimensional Regulations: Dimensional regulations such as setbacks or minimum lot area would be shown in tables rather than sentences for easier understanding. Tables of Contents: There would be an overall table of contents and one at the beginning of each chapter. New vs. Existing Regulations: Existing regulations would be re-used whenever it seems appropriate but replacements will be proposed as judged necessary. There would not be change just for the sake of change. So, the future code will seem both familiar and new. It is apparent that some regulations were adopted for specific local conditions and that others were given quite a bit of recent thought.