03-13-2014 Planning Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 13, 2014 Barraclough asked the maximum amount of outdoor storage the Stockness property would be allowed under the I -P District. The City Planner indicated that the Stockness property is currently allowed 12,500 square feet, which is grandfathered in under the previous outdoor storage standards in I -P provided their site is in conformance with their approved site plan. Under the revised outdoor storage standards in I -P, they would be allowed a maximum of 5,000 square feet. The Planner noted that Stockness is requesting 35,000 square feet of outdoor storage. In order to narrow the scope of the discussion, Fischer asked if any of the Commissioners were interested in the Variance request. Duray stated that he would not be supportive of a Variance and did not believe there were practical difficulties in using the property that would justify a Variance. Duray was concerned with the precedent that a Variance would set. Fischer indicated that 3 or 4 years ago the property immediately to the north was rezoned from I -P to I -1. Fischer stated that while the Comp Man talks about upgrading this area, there are not a lot of teeth to that idea. Fischer noted that Stockness is trying to lease the property and the types of businesses that he can attract require outdoor storage. Stockness noted that if the property is rezoned to I -P, they will not be able to have much more outdoor storage than they currently have given the need for fire lanes. Fischer pointed out that the entrance to the outdoor storage area is gated and asked about after -hours access to this area for the Fire Department. Stockness noted that the gate is 20 feet wide, and the Fire Department would just saw through the lock to gain access, if necessary. Barraclough recommended denial of the Variance from I -P District outdoor storage standards for 3065 Spruce Street requested by Stockness Properties given the Commission did not feel there were practical difficulties relative to the use of this property that would warrant Variance approval. Motion seconded by Schwalbach. Motion carried 6 — 0. Fischer noted that a Rezoning would also require Stockness to then apply for a Conditional Use Permit for outdoor storage. Along with the CUP application, Stockness would have to submit a detailed site plan. Fischer noted that under the outdoor storage criteria in I -1, the Stockness property would not get a lot more storage than what is shown on the site plan. The City Planner indicated that if the Commission supports the rezoning, he would then clarify with the applicant what is needed to process a CUP application for outdoor storage. -6-