05-23-07 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MAY 23, 2007 the proposed text amendment that he drafted (Exhibit A of the April 9, 2007 report). He indicated that the applicant feels this text amendment is too narrow to meet Hom Furniture's needs. Hom Furniture presented a list of potential uses for their excess retail space at the Planning Commission meeting, and would like the Text Amendment to incorporate those uses. The Planner then reviewed his report dated Apri120, 2007 in response to Hom Furniture's list, and noted the four options outlined in that report: 1. Adopt the amendment proposed in the staff report dated Apri19, 2007. 2. Adopt the amendment proposed, with the addition of a clause that includes "Retail Sales of Home Improvement Goods and Services". 3. Adopt the amendment with the addition of the list proposed by Hom Furniture. 4. Rezone the property to a different district that includes the uses proposed by the applicant, such as B-3, General Business. Wayne Johansen, Hom Furniture, asked if a rezoning the property to General Business (B-3) District would prohibit the uses allowed under the Business-Warehouse (B-W) District. Johansen noted that Hom Furniture occupied a similar building in the City of Plymouth, and the PUD zoning of that property was very rigid. Johansen reported that Hom Furniture would like to have some flexibility in the use of the former Levitz building in Little Canada. He noted that this site is ideal for furniture sales. Johansen felt that if the warehouse/showroom uses of the site are eliminated, Hom would not go through with the purchase of the property. Johansen indicated that he utilized the telephone book in compiling a list of potential uses that would be compatible with Hom Furniture in occupying the former Levitz building. He noted that most of the uses are destination retail that do not generate high parking demand. Johansen indicated that it was not their intent to create a parking problem on the site. Allan noted the City Planner's recommendation to broaden the uses to allow "Retail Sales of Home Improvement Goods and Services". Johansen stated that Hom Furniture would like a more specific listing of allowed uses. Johansen noted their intent to clean up and upgrade the property. He indicated that Hom was not willing to move forward with the purchase at the risk of sitting with a half empty building because the allowed uses would be too tightly restricted.