05-13-2026 Workshop Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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June 2024 - Google Maps Street View An interested buyer has proposed purchasing 39 W Viking Drive to construct a 4,200-square-foot automotive repair facility featuring an 1,800-square-foot second-story apartment suite. The rear portion of the lot would serve as a tow yard, with the apartment occupied by a tow yard attendant. The proposal includes a U-shaped drive for front access, a security fence around the rear, and required maintained access to the existing cell tower at the back of the property. The buyer intends to operate the tow yard 24/7, while the repair facility/office would maintain regular business hours. To facilitate this use, the property would require a rezoning, as neither the proposed outdoor storage nor autobody work is permitted in the C-1 district. The proposed building layout would minimally require setback exceptions. Consequently, the developer must apply for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) and likely a Comprehensive Plan amendment, necessitating formal site drawings, engineering, stormwater mitigation plans, and a development agreement. As a legislative action rather than a quasi-judicial one, a PUD rezoning grants the City Council broad discretion to evaluate the proposal based on a variety of factors, including long-term planning goals, consistency with the Comprehensive Plan, potential environmental impacts, public health and safety, and the overall benefit to the community’s tax base and character. Because of the significant expense required for formal submittals, staff suggested the applicant provide a rough sketch and narrative for preliminary council consideration. This discussion is non-binding and intended only to signal if there is general support for the concept before the applicant commits to the full PUD process. Staff worked with the applicant to develop a concept sketch (Attachment A). Given the likely triggers for stormwater mitigation and engineering, this sketch is for conceptual discussion only and remains subject to significant change. The applicant provided the following narrative: “My name is Austin Gorak. I own no worries towing and recovery. We have served the greater saint paul area and surrounding suburbs for 6 years with their roadside assistance needs, as well as property parking management services. As we grow larger we find ourselves needing a more dedicated space for both towing and repair services. I would like to turn this property into a space where we can do it all under one roof, as well as have the additional space for future growth and continue to serve the local community. As outlined in the drawings we plan to have a front auto repair shop and office, with an impound lot to the rear of the property, outside of the public view. With having a dedicated lot, I would like to have on site living for 24 hour surveillance needs, as well as making sure the property stays in presentable conditions at all times”