05/02/2011 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Background In September 2010 the Lino Lakes City Council requested that the Lino Lakes Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) act as a Redevelopment Task Force to study the issue of nonconforming properties in the City. The City Council had concerns about the erosion of the City's tax base if nonconforming properties could not be used for new businesses coming into the City. The Council wanted to explore options for redevelopment of properties and /or impediments to resale and reuse of nonconforming properties. A specific property on Lake Drive in Lino Lakes precipitated this discussion. An electronics recycling company wanted to move its business onto a nonconforming property that had been empty for approximately two years. This property has building and fire code issues, and does not have utilities available to it. In addition, the City's zoning ordinance does not allow outside storage on properties zoned for Light Industrial in this location. Staff outlined the issues related to use of this property in a July 6, 2010 work session report (Appendix A). In April of 2010, City Planner Jeff Smyser provided EDAC with background information in order to understand the issues surrounding nonconforming uses in Lino Lakes. He explained that the City's Comprehensive Plan is a guidebook for determining how the City envisions land to be developed over the years. Zoning ordinances and other official controls are then put in place to ensure that the Comprehensive Plan is implemented. In addition to the Comprehensive Plan's guiding policies and official regulations over which the City has control, there are building and fire codes, some that are not within the City's control. In May 2010 EDAC members discussed that vacant properties were problems and led to blighted conditions, and that property owners had certain rights for use of their properties. Members considered the potential for interim uses for vacant properties. In the end, members concluded that interim uses on nonconforming properties could delay redevelopment and conflicts with the goals and vision of the Comprehensive Plan. EDAC concluded that while empty commercial and industrial properties were not a good situation, a long term approach to redevelopment was a better solution. EDAC determined that no action or recommendation was needed to change city ordinances to extend the use of these properties (Appendix B). After City Council's direction to create a task force to look further into the issues, staff developed an inventory of properties that, due to a lack of infrastructure (sewer /water) were difficult to maintain, expand or redevelop. EDAC reviewed this information in November and December before making its recommendations. 1 1 • •