04-24-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES April 10, 2017 DRAFT 6 were materials delivered, what would be the biggest size delivery vehicles? Mr. Witzel explained that 216 the deliveries are typically to Fridley and the truck size isn’t huge. 217 218 Council Member Kusterman said he can understand the concern of a neighbor about increased traffic. 219 He asked the applicant if there is anyway to assauage the concerns of the neighbor? Mr. Witzel 220 explained the operations that people experience with the current use (farm, air field); Mayor Reinert 221 noted that it hasn’t been a business use though. 222 223 Community Development Director Grochala remarked that he isn’t sure about working out the issues but 224 it is clear that there are regulations in place and the use proposed by this application would not be 225 allowed in a residential area. The applicant has pointed out uses that are occuring in the area but that 226 doesn’t mean what he proposes is allowed. He recalled that Pine Street was paved because people in a 227 certain area of it requested and paid for it; those past a certain point decided they didn’t want the work 228 done because the road is less used. 229 230 Council Member Maher asked if the resident who is concerned was present and another neighbor who 231 was present said no and explained her awareness of the concern – it’s about having strangers (customers) 232 coming into the area; she added that there is a lot of traffic already and across in Columbus pretty much 233 anything is allowed. She doesn’t feel the proposed business will create a problem. 234 235 Jason Schenkin, speaking on behalf of Steve Witzel. Mr. Witzel has been a great mentor for him and he 236 can attest that he will be a stand up neighbor who will any address concerns that arise. Mayor Reinert 237 thanked Mr. Schenkin but noted that the issue isn’t the applicant’s character but the question for the 238 council is the precedent granting this request would set for, perhaps, an applicant of different character. 239 There isn’t an easy way to take back a CUP once it is issued. Ms. Larsen added that one of the 240 requirements of all home occupations is that there should be no exterior evidence of the business. 241 Community Development Director Grochala added that the city has never issued a Level C home 242 occupation CUP because it is a fairly new regulation. He also noted that there are many code 243 enforcements underway related to illegally operating home businesses but at those can be addressed by a 244 cease and desist order. 245 246 Mayor Reinert noted concerns: setting precedent, traffic on a dirt road; neighbor concerns. On the other 247 hand, the council is hearing that this is a good business operator who would be fair to the neighbors. 248 249 Council Member Manthey said he is supportive of allowing people to do what they want to do on their 250 property but he doesn’t see a way to set this in motion without any control. He’d like to understand more 251 specifics about the business that would be occuring and see more of a detailed plan. 252 253 The mayor suggested that the council could vote now or wait and get more information. 254 255 Council Member Kusterman remarked that he has a responsibility to hear the concerns of the area 256 residents and to understand the setting of precedent. 257 258 Council Member Maher remarked that she is less concerned about precedent. This is a full picture (the 259 future) and if the council chooses to allow a CUP they can do so for reason they feel are appropriate. If 260