10-10-2012 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 10, 2012 The Administrator pointed out that as part of the outdoor storage modifications, the auto repair - salvage license was developed. The Administrator indicated that the moratorium is not meant to stop a business from locating in Little Canada. He pointed out that it has been difficult to keep a handle on which businesses are operating in Ryan Industrial Park, where those businesses are located as some move from one building to another, and what specifically the businesses are doing in relation to what they are licensed to do. The moratorium gives the City an opportunity to study the issues and make appropriate changes to the ordinance if determined appropriate. Lee Rossow reported that he owns 5 properties in Ryan Industrial Park and the moratorium is currently impacting his property at 3164 Ryan Lane. He presented a picture of this property noting that it abuts his property at 194/196 Ryan Lane. Rossow explained the history of his property at 3164 Ryan Lane indicating that he purchased it in 1984 and was granted a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to operate his bus company, storing 75 buses and employee vehicles on the site as well as doing bus repairs. In 2005 he moved his bus company to 1870 Rice Street and subsequently 3164 Ryan Lane was used for auto repair, another bus company use, a towing company, etc. Rossow reported that he recently put up a for rent sign and received a call from Balta's Auto Towing Service. Rossow reported that he heard about the pending moratorium, and obtained an application for a Conditional Use Permit for Balta's Towing. Rossow reported that he did not submit the CUP application and decided to take a wait and see approach. Rossow felt there was a need to take a more balanced approach to CUPs. He suggested that rather than having very specific CUPs, that there be a generic listing of uses allowed by CUP and businesses would qualify without having to come to the City each time the business changes provided that the type of business is on the list. Blesener noted that the City changed the Code relative to outdoor storage, getting away from very specific individual property standards. Blesener pointed out that not many cities have situations like this. Rossow reported that he owns buildings in other cities and he never has to go through this CUP process. Rossow felt Balta's Towing was a good fit for his building. He also noted that he has buildings with yard space, therefore, these buildings attract businesses with trucks and equipment. Rossow reported that Balta's Towing is working all the time and it is good for Ryan Industrial Park to have someone in the park over the weekends. Blesener noted that auto- related uses cause code enforcement issues for the City, and the intent is to review the Code relative to these uses to 5