04-25-07 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL APRIL 25, 2007 termination of lease, etc. Knudsen felt a time limit was problematic and that an interim use permit was better tied to an event. Blesener did not feel outdoor storage should be eliminated entirely. Knudsen felt it better to isolate where outdoor storage can occur and make the restrictions tougher. Allan felt that all storage should be contained within a building. Knudsen felt there was an issue of fairness as well as what is realistic. Helmeke felt there was a question of what is the best use of the land, and felt it may not be realistic to eliminate outdoor storage completely. Allan pointed out that most outdoor storage uses are moving out of the Metro, and suggested that if Little Canada did not eliminate it, the City would become a dumping ground for outdoor storage uses. The City Administrator noted that poor soils in Ryan Industrial park are a big factor, since soils in most of the park cannot support masonry buildings. The result is the quality of buildings in the Park are such that Ryan Industrial Park attracts the types of businesses that require outdoor storage. The Administrator indicated that another option is to redevelop Ryan Indusriial Park, but, again, soils will be a factor. The Administrator indicated that not all outdoor storage is problematic; it is the class of business that is problematic. Blesener felt outdoor storage should be limited based on building size. Individual tenants would be allowed outdoor storage in relation to the amount of building space that they lease. Blesener also felt that the City should limit the number of Auto Sales Licenses to one or two, as well as limit the number of Auto Repair Licenses. He felt outdoor storage should be allowed by interim use permit that would be tied to an event, such as sale of property or relocation of a tenant. Montour suggested that some owners in the Park will never sell their property, and agreed that interim use permits should be used, but there should also be a way to phase out the outdoor storage use. McGraw stated that his preference would be to eliminate outdoor storage, but noted that the consensus appears to be to allow it by interim use permit. If that is the case, McGraw agreed that the interim use should be tied to an event. McGraw also felt that eliminating auto repair businesses would help to clean up the area and a way to prevent the City from being overrun with outdoor storage uses. Blesener felt that eliminating the outdoor storage use would get the City into an inverse condemnation situation.