08-23-2006 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS, INC. 4800 Olson Memorial Highway, Suite 202, Golden Valley, MN 55422 Telephone: 763.231 .2555 Facsimile: 763.231 .2561 planners@nacplanning.com MEMORANDUM TO: Little Canada Planning Commission FROM: Stephen Grittman /Kimberly Holien DATE: August 7, 2006 SUBJECT: Little Canada - Light Industrial District Building Materials CASE NO: 758.10 - 06.05 INTRODUCTION As a part of the review of the zoning ordinance, the issue of building materials was discussed, particularly in the 1 -1, Light Industrial District and the allowance for metal buildings. During that discussion, it was noted that construction methods have evolved to make construction in areas of poor soils more feasible than in the past. It was also noted that at the current time, there are portions of the City's 1 -1 zoned areas that are not subject to poor soils in any event, and that it may be time to consider an upgrade to the City's building materials requirements in that district. Toward that end, the City Council enacted a moratorium on the construction of metal buildings, pending the outcome of this study and subsequent amendments to the zoning ordinance. The following material has been collected to provide context for the Planning Commission's discussion of this item. The cities surveyed are representative of many other Twin Cities communities. In summary, there are two main ways of dealing with the potential for metal buildings, with some occasional variations. The first is an outright prohibition, basically requiring a full masonry and glass exterior. In most of these ordinances, metal is allowed as an accent material, but not as a significant component of the side wall. The second category is to allow for metal buildings as an accessory storage building option, but not as a part of the principal building. For most of these communities, the storage building must be located in the rear yard, and usually must be screened in some manner. The purpose of this initial review is to develop a consensus on as many issues as possible. Staff will then be providing a draft ordinance for consideration at the Commission's September meeting.