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Public Comment <br />Because there is no formal application and the interested party has not yet closed on the property, no <br />public notification has been issued. Should the Council express interest in the concept and the buyer <br />proceeds with a formal PUD rezoning application, all statutory public noticing requirements would be <br />triggered at that time, including a formal public hearing. <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br />Staff recommends the Council consider the following factors and provide direction on whether to <br />encourage the interested buyer to pursue the formal PUD process: <br /> <br />1. The proposed development would likely result in a higher assessed value than the existing <br />single-family home. While the current property has significant outdoor storage, much of it is <br />currently shielded from the public right-of-way. <br /> <br />2. Due to the narrow lot width, potential driveway and building encroachments on the eastern <br />property line, and the existing cell tower access easement in the rear, any redevelopment of this <br />site is likely to require exceptions from the city’s zoning code unless the property is <br />consolidated with an adjacent lot. <br /> <br />3. The neighboring businesses are not traditional commercial retail uses; they function more <br />similarly to the office/warehouse uses typically found in the city’s industrial (I) districts rather <br />than the general commercial (C-1) district. <br /> <br />4. The applicant proposes 24/7 operations. While the buyer states their trucks do not utilize <br />audible backup alarms, the loading and unloading of vehicles and trailers will generate noise <br />consistent with a towing operation. <br /> <br />5. The proposal includes significant outdoor storage. Additionally, the applicant’s business model <br />includes the purchase of junk vehicles, which may impact the aesthetic character of the site. <br /> <br />6. The city currently has a tow yard and repossession business at 70 Woodlyn Drive (Zoned I-1). <br />The code enforcement officer reports receiving approximately 15-20 calls annually regarding <br />vehicle disputes at that location. These inquiries are referred to the Ramsey County Sheriff’s <br />Office or the State’s Attorney General, as they are civil matters rather than code enforcement <br />issues; however, they do represent a recurring administrative touchpoint for city staff. <br /> <br />Attachments <br />1. Attachment A – Concept Sketch <br />2. Attachment B – 39 Viking Drive As-Is