10-09-08 Planning Comm. Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 9, 2008 not want to harm anyone's business, however, the Planning Commission's job is to consider the facts and provide the Council with a recommendation. The City Planner noted that the new outdoor regulations require a CUP for accessory outdoor storage to a principle use and that the business occupies building space. The outdoor storage space must be proportionate to the building space. The IUP regulations allow the rental of off-site outdoor storage space to Little Canada businesses whose principle location on I-1 zoned property. Roger Stanke indicated that R & S has been in business for a long time and are the heart and soul of Little Canada. Stanke reported that both R & S and Pro-Air had an agreement with McGough Construction for the sale of a portion of their land. The City then bobbled the deal, and McGough constructed a beautiful building in another city. Stanke felt that the City should work with R & S to accommodate their requests. He also noted that R & S works on their tenants' equipment and vehicles, and asked how long storage could occur if the equipment and vehicles are waiting for work, oil changes, etc. The City Administrator reported that McGough Construction was not able to put together their redevelopment plan given they could not acquire enough property to deal with some grade issues. The City did not bobble the deal. Knudsen felt that there may be basis to allow the Figg Construction outdoor storage provided that storage was established prior to the 1980 Code adoption. Duray noted that R & S would have the opportunity to lease off- site outdoor storage to Little Canada businesses located on I-1-coned property. The City Planner indicated that that was correct. Knudsen noted that there is no hardship, other than economic in nature, that would justify the granting of the Variance. Duray agreed that the City had to protect the integrity of the ordinance, but stated that his intention was to explore whether or not any other options existed relative to the R & S property. Knudsen stated that he supported the allowance of outdoor storage for Figg if their business location on the R & S site predated the 1980 Code. Sandberg asked if the Commission has any suggestions for what they could do with the rest of the land to generate income from it. Duray asked if R & S has had inquiries from other Little Canada I-1 businesses looking for off- site outdoor storage. Sandberg replied that they had not. Sandberg also pointed out that given the current economy, most businesses are pulling back. Sandberg pointed out previous comments at workshop meetings that -7-