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

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Planning & Zoning Board June 12, 2002 Page 13 APPROVED MINUTES separated from the rest of the barn area. Use of the area for restroom purposes, however, could be allowed under fire code according to Chief Bennett. Staff stated as a result of the above, the a pplicant would plan to exhibit animals out of doors as they do when trailering animals to various sites, and possibly constructing a smaller building in the future for assembly/shelter purposes. Staff noted the applicant did not foresee ge neral, open hours of ope ration for the public at large. Rather, scheduled groups of set numbers would visit. Group sizes might vary, but would be known ahead of time. In this wa y, parking issues could be planned for. Staff indicated the main parking area was to the west of the barn and measured roughly 100’ X 100’. A second parking area, measuri ng roughly 100’ X 50’, was situated across the driveway to the north from the main pa rking area. The driveway itself was currently 17 feet wide, and the applicant planned to widen it to 24 feet to better accommodate vehicles. Staff stated access to the site was off 20 th Avenue, which was a County road. As a result, plans had been forwarded to the Anoka C ounty Highway department for review and comments. Staff noted the applicant had carried a licen se to operate a petting zoo for a number of years under the U.S. Department of Agricultu re’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). As a requirement for such a license, their site - or any site they exhibit at – was subject to annual, unscheduled in spections by USDA/APHIS officials. Such an inspection was successfully conducte d this spring at the site on 20 th Avenue. Staff indicated City Ordinance Section 2, subd. 2.B.7 stated that the “Planning and Zoning Board shall recommend a conditional use permit and the Council shall order the issuance of such permit only if it finds that such use at the proposed location: a.) Will not be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, comfort, convenience or general welfare of th e neighborhood or the City. Visitors to the site would be confined to the site, with no parking taking place on 20 th Avenue. b.) Will be harmonious with the general and applicable specific plans and policies of the comprehensive plan of the City and this Ordinance. The site was zoned and guided Rural. Th e proposed use was in keeping with this designation. c.) Will be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained so as to be harmonious and appropriate in appearance with the existin g and/or intended character of the general vicinity and will not change the essential character of that area. The use maintains the site as a farm, a traditional rural use.