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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />FEBRUARY 14, 2008 <br />building, or between the building and the street in a side yard of a corner <br />lot, and would be limited to side yards behind the front building line and <br />rear yards. There was some discussion about whether or not outdoor <br />storage should be prohibited from the required setback area. Keis stated <br />that he did not object to outdoor storage occurring right up to the property <br />line as long as it is neat and orderly and access lanes exist within the <br />storage area. The City Planner indicated that he would clarify this in the <br />ordinance language. <br />Blesener noted that previous consideration for the amount of outdoor <br />storage focused on building size. After looking at the information <br />estimating the amount of outdoor storage each property in Ryan Industrial <br />Park actually has, he felt that utilizing the lot area was more equitable. <br />Blesener indicated that as long as outdoor storage is neat, there are drive <br />aisles for access, and junk is not being stored, does the City really care <br />what a property owner is storing. Blesener felt that I-1 properties should <br />be allowed to have 60% of their lot area in outdoor storage subject to <br />meeting setbacks, storage to be located behind the front building line, it is <br />neat and orderly and has access aisles. Blesener cited the Tri-State Bobcat <br />site as an example of how the City wants outdoor storage handled. <br />Keis asked about the properties that do not have land behind their <br />buildings. Blesener felt that there should be no outdoor storage allowed in <br />front of the building. The side yard could be utilized behind the front <br />building line. Blesener felt that if a property did not work for a particular <br />business, that business may have to look for another property. Knudsen <br />agreed. <br />Helmeke felt it will be difficult to regulate neat and tidy. Knudsen agreed <br />that that will be the difficult part. <br />Blesener pointed out that the there are currently 18 auto repair licenses in <br />the City, and asked if those present felt a cap should be placed on the <br />number of auto repair licenses. It was noted that auto repair businesses are <br />the City's biggest code enforcement problem. <br />Blesener also cited property values in Ryan Industrial Park and indicated <br />that given the poor soils in the area it is unrealistic to think that the area <br />will redevelop anytime soon. Blesener felt that in order to justify the <br />property taxes that the City collects from these properties, the City should <br />allow outdoor storage as an accessory use. The focus, however, remains <br />on cleaning up the area. <br />Helmeke felt that allocating outdoor storage based on lot size was fairer <br />than basing it on building size. Blesener noted that setting the 60% figure <br />will not mean that property owners get 60% of their lot in outdoor storage. <br />4 <br />