06/12/2002 P&Z Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning & Zoning Board June 12, 2002 Page 12 APPROVED MINUTES Staff presented its analysis by explaining th e site was zoned Rural and guided as Rural Land Use under the proposed 2001 Comprehensive Plan. All surrounding uses are similarly zoned and guided. Staff indicated Lino Lakes City Ordinance did not specifically addre ss any use such as a “petting zoo” or “farm visit.” As a resu lt, staff was recommending using Section 5, subd. 1.H.3, which applied to conditional uses in a Rural zone described as follows: “Commercial riding stables, horse boarding stables, horse arenas, dog kennels, animal hospitals with overnight care and similar uses.” Staff would argue that the above-described uses were basically similar in nature to that of a petting zoo in the following ways: 1.) Animals are kept on site. 2.) People come to interact with animals. 3.) There is a recreational as well as a commercial component to such uses. Staff stated as a result, it was appropriate that a Conditi onal Use Permit be applied for prior to allowing a use such as a petting zoo to occur on the site. Staff noted the subject site was a 20-acre parcel located on the east side of 20 th Avenue, north of 80 th Street. The northern ar ea of the site was open hayf ield; the southern area of the site contains fenced pasture areas; the cen ter of the site contains a driveway leading off 20 th Avenue to the house, parking area, and pole barn. The 90’ X 96’ pole barn contained a 60’ X 72’ central arena area, which was surrounded by approximately 15 stalls of various sizes, in addition to some storage areas. There was a hay storage/loft area over the st alls. Five separate fenced pasture areas of various sizes surround the barn. Staff noted in addition, there was a 20’ X 96’ area on the north side of the barn, separated from the rest of the barn by a wall, which will contain restroom facilities. Staff stated parking areas were to the west a nd northwest of the barn. Further west of the parking area was an outdoor area to be used for outside exhibition of, and interaction with, animals. Staff stated the site was serviced by a septic system. Building officials confirm that the system was oversized and capable of handli ng the extra restroom facilities proposed by the applicant. Staff noted Fire Chief Bennett had advised th at any use of the barn area would require that the entire barn be equi pped with a sprinkler system, the price of which appeared at this time to be prohibitive for the applicant. Chief Bennett had also advised that even use of the room on the north side of the barn for gathering/assembly purposes would require that the entire barn area be sprinkled because the area could not structurally be adequately