12-14-2005 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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The applicant has indicated that a series of attached office- warehouse units would be constructed, with parking for tenants and visitors around the outside of the complex. To the rear, the buildings would have service and loading access, and the plans illustrate a large enclosed "storage" area. Outdoor storage is not an allowed use in the B -W District. The applicant indicates that the storage area would be utilized primarily for storage of company vehicles and equipment owned and used by the tenants of the project. He submitted photos of a nearby project that are intended to illustrate a similar concept. Outdoor storage has been an issue for the City in other areas, and the B -W District was recently amended to eliminate this use. While tenants in a new project may operate under specific restrictions, future tenant changes can often lead to enforcement issues that should be addressed carefully. It would appear to planning staff that this site would be attractive to a higher -end user that would not require outdoor storage, given its visibility to Highway 36. If the City pursues this development, the Zoning Ordinance would require an amendment to re- introduce Outdoor Storage into the B -W District, or the site would need to be rezoned to a PUD District where the use and development requirements can be written more specifically. Summary and Recommendation Outdoor Storage has been an enforcement issue for the City in other areas, leading to the elimination of this use in the B -W district. With the exposure of this site, it would appear that a user that does not require outdoor storage could be found. If this project is pursued, the applicant would need to request a zoning amendment to allow outdoor storage on this site. Pc: Kathy Glanzer Steve Westerhaus Lee Elfering Sean Coatney, ECS, 3775 N. Dunlap Street, Arden Hills, MN 55112