09-26-07 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 approved by the Council. There was discussion as to the rational for not allowing outdoor storage of parts, while allowing outdoor storage of material or equipment via IUP. Allan also questioned the last sentence in that section which states that storage of materials directly on the ground shall be "discouraged" when other alternatives exist. The Planner indicated that during the last discussion of this issue there seemed to be no consensus on prohibiting outdoor storage of materials directly on the ground. In further discussing the outdoor storage of material or equipment, it was felt that there needed to be further definition of both terms. Defining each of these terms may result in slightly different storage requirements. The Planner agreed, pointing out that equipment is likely to be able to move of its own accord while materials would not. Therefore, storage requirements will be different. Pechmann stated his support for regulating outdoor storage in the I-1 District by IUP. Stanke questioned what difference it made what is stored outdoors as long as it is fenced and screened. Montour pointed out the problems in trying to upgrade Ryan Industrial Park when owners rent to outdoor storage users only. Montour agreed that it was difficuh, however, to legislate neatness in an industrial park. Stanke again questioned what difference it made if pipe versus roofing materials versus car parts are stored outdoors. McGraw pointed out that it is difficult to write a blanket ordinance and noted that this is why the City is considering the IUP approach. Keis noted that car parts can be stored within a building. The parts stored outside are typically either junk or parts that a business has no use for. The Planner reviewed A.2. under Interim Uses noting that the storage area that would be allowed on a parcel would be no greater than the area of the first floor of the principal building. It was noted that A.3. prohibits outdoor storage in the area between the building line and adjacent street. Storage in any other area of the property would require a Variance. The Planner suggested adding the word "front" before building line, which would allow outdoor storage in a side yard. The City Administrator suggested that limiting the outdoor storage area to the same size as the footprint of the building may be too restrictive in some cases.