05-28-13 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 6, 2013 DRAFT 2 review at the next council meeting unless any council members would l ike to take more 45 time for their review . 46 47 2. Exterior Storage – 7309 Lake Drive – Community Development Director Grochala 48 recalled that a Cease and Desist order was issued to the owner of this property, Pinnacle 49 Point, LLC. The order relates to discontinuing outdoor sto rage of shipping containers on 50 the property as it is not allowed under the city’s zoning ordinance. The council briefly 51 discussed the item at the last regular work session and directed that the order be stayed 52 pending further review and discussion by the council. Mr. Grochala noted that his written 53 report provides a policy review that lays out the purpose and application of the 54 Comprehensive Plan and the city’s zoning regulations that purport to guide and restrict 55 land use to the hig hest and best use . He warns against allowing any extreme departure 56 from the city’s established guidelines. Although the council has recently opened the 57 door by allowing some limited outdoor storage use in this type of zoning district, it would 58 be more detrimental to allow su ch a use permanently. Regarding this specific property, 59 Mr. Grochala explained that the city has received calls from area residents about the 60 storage. He warned that it is a low value type use that will eventually preclude 61 development and keep values l ow. If the council wants to allow outdoor storage, he 62 believes the properties will fill up quickly for just that type of use. 63 64 Mayor Reinert noted a different industrial area where he’s seen bus parking. Mr. 65 Grochala explained that the area mentioned i s within the General Business zoning district 66 and bus parking is allowed as a pre -existing use. He also noted that buses are quite 67 different than shipping containers as is present at this address. 68 69 The mayor suggested that he understands that outdoor st orage isn’t necessarily a desirable 70 use although the council did make an exception for another property. He feels that the 71 city’s role is to deal with buildings and property and not to pick and choose businesses 72 that will receive special consideration. 73 74 The owner of the property noted that when the City of Columbus brought in the horse 75 track, they set up an interim use process, grandfathered in certain uses and allowed others 76 to request special consideration. 77 78 The mayor said he wishes to support busine sses that chose to locate in Lino Lakes and he 79 is open to some uses outside of zoning when it is within reason and is temporary in 80 nature. 81 82 Community Development Director Grochala then explained how outdoor storage came to 83 be allowed as an interim use a t another industrial property. The site in question originally 84 had a non -conforming use that continued but that ended and now something else not 85 allowed has come in and that doesn’t fall under the category of grandfathering. 86 87 The mayor asked council mem bers to offer their standing on the matter. Council 88 Member O’Donnell said that he wants to help the business but understands the issue of 89