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Analysis <br />The applicant maintains that their operation is not similar to the larger auto rental <br />operations in that no large fleet of vehicles is kept on site. In this respect, the use is small <br />and virtually incidental to the shopping center, and the few (less than five) vehicles kept <br />at the site tend to blend with other parking. <br />However, the City took specific steps to remove auto - related uses from the general <br />business district areas of the City. This amendment could be viewed as a small but <br />undesirable step toward reinstituting the separation of commercial uses made last year. <br />We have prepared the following text amendment language if the City believes that the use <br />is acceptable. This language change would be made in the definitions section of the <br />ordinance. Effectively, it permits office uses to store no more than four passenger vehicles <br />available for rental. It would be based upon a finding that five or more vehicles would <br />constitute auto related uses which must locate in B -2 Districts. <br />Offices, Commercial. Commercial buildings which house one or more tenants <br />conducting administrative or professional functions. Commercial offices may <br />include the following accessory uses: Retail uses allowed as permitted uses in <br />the district; Automobile rental, not to exceed four vehicles stored on any one office <br />property; Other accessory uses allowed in the district. <br />Conclusion <br />The addition of the limited auto rental function to the B -3 District is a policy issue for the <br />City. While the actual inclusion of the proposed use may have a minimal effect on the <br />function of the B -3 District, the outdoor storage of automobiles in the general business <br />district is counter to the City's intent in restricting the B -3 District commercial uses. <br />The suggested language is written to avoid creating a separate allowance for automobile <br />rental in the B -3 District which might be construed to permit larger operations than the one <br />proposed. <br />cc: Kathy Glanzer <br />Greg Schmidt <br />Mike Gattie <br />2 <br />Page 10 <br />