03-26-2007 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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With regard to screening, the City has heard that visibility into the storage area is a factor in policing and public safety of such areas. However, the visibility issue is one of the primary negatives of outdoor storage. Planning staff believes that one of the most successful screening designs for outdoor storage was constructed by Tom's Auto Sales along County Road C. In this application, the storage area was set back from the property line, fenced with wood fencing and an attractive masonry post design. One measure to lessen the negative impacts of outdoor storage would be to require a similar screening design despite the concerns that it will raise for policing of the storage yard. Particularly in this case, the site is on a corner with exposure to both Ryan Drive and Ryan Lane. This latter issue highlights one of the problems that outdoor storage causes for the City. Installing a complete and attractive screen raises concerns over crime and police demand. Reducing the screen to allow for more effective crime control makes the storage area open to view, resulting in zoning code enforcement problems when the storage area becomes cluttered and unattractive, as it inevitably does. As a part of the City's amended regulations, staff suggests exploring a business license requirement for outdoor storage, to which a license fee can be attached that accounts for the City's enforcement costs. If this permit is to be considered, planning staff would encourage a condition that subjects the applicant to any subsequent licensing requirement. Summary and Recommendation Planning staff does not recommend the CUP amendment, based on findings that the original permit anticipated no service or storage on this site, that the applicant has not submitted a site plan that identifies the location of the storage area on the site that demonstrates compliance with the City's outdoor storage regulations, and that the applicant has not supplied a screening plan for the storage area. If the City believes that approval is warranted, planning staff would recommend the following conditions at a minimum: 1. The applicant submits a site plan, based on a survey of the property, that identifies the location of the proposed storage area. 2. The site plan shows an enclosure for the storage that is no larger than the square footage of the building area occupied by the applicant. 3. The plan is accompanied by a screening plan that includes landscaping around the exterior of the screening fence, the use of wood and masonry screening materials only, with no storage in a front or side yard area. 4. The applicant agrees to comply with any licensing program for outdoor storage, including the payment of any licensing fees enacted by the City Council. 5. All other conditions of the zoning ordinance relating to outdoor storage and auto service are complied with. Pc: Kathy Glanzer Steve Westerhaus Lee Elfering Jessica Jagoe Robert Eddy, 6001 78th Ave. N. #200, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443