12-11-2014 Planning Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 11, 2014 Fischer agreed that this was a great opportunity, noting that there have been vacant properties along the City's main streets for some time. Duray recommended approval of the Rezoning of 477 Little Canada Road from Auto -Oriented Business (B-2) District to General Business (B-3) District to accommodate a food catering business as proposed by Molly Behymer, Creative Catering, subject to compliance with the recommendations of the City Planner as outlined in his December 5, 2014 report. Motion seconded by Schwalbach. Motion carried 6 — 0. AMEND The City Planner reviewed his December 5, 2014 report relative to the ZONING definition of family as exists in the City's Zoning Code. He noted that it CODE — was recently pointed out that the Zoning Code included an outdated DEFINITION reference to State Statute relative to group homes. The Planner pointed OF FAMILY out that State Statute previously required the licensing of group homes and that requirement has now been changed to the registration of group homes. The Planner also noted that State Statute defines group homes consisting of six or fewer residents as a single-family home for the purposes of zoning. Therefore, any zoning districts that allow single family homes must also allow group homes of six or fewer residents as a permitted use. The Planner noted that the only restriction on the type of group home that could locate in a residential area is that the group home cannot be one where the residents have been convicted of sex crimes. The Planner noted that another related issue was whether or not live-in staff would be counted in the resident number of six or fewer. In working with the City Attorney and the League of MN Cities on that issue, live-in staff would not be counted in that number. The Planner reviewed additional proposed language outlined in his report addressing that issue also noting that the live-in quarters for staff would have to be attached to the primary structure. Duray asked if there was a limit on the number of group homes that could locate in the City. The Planner reported that there was not. He noted that one may read articles about the Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul limiting group homes, but given these are Class 1 cities, they have the ability to limit group homes. Little Canada does not. The Planner again noted that group homes in residential areas cannot be for residents convicted of sex crimes, however. 4-