09/14/2011 P&Z Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

Planning & Zoning Board September 14, 2011 Page 4 APPROVED MINUTES from the planning and zoning b oard regarding ou tdoor storage throughout the industrial zoning district. Board members were asked if the y thought that the city should consider incre asing the number of locations where outdoor storage is allowed or allowing additional storage during a time of recession. Mr. Smyser noted that a property owner had requested exterior storage where it is currently not allowed. Mr. Root arrived at 7:23 p.m. Board member comments included the following: • Once city standards are changed, they are hard to change back. The city should retain standards regardless of the economy. • The city could consider allow ing for more storage that is fully screened and not visible above the screened area. • One way to manage an interim use i s to set a specific end date that clarifies that the use is temporary. • If storage is needed for a business, it seems it would be needed permanently and not temporarily. If it’s a standard and good for business, it should be allowed all the time, not just during a time of recession. • The city co uld reconsider allowing for different uses and storage a s times change . • The ci ty should be especially concerned about light industrial areas that abut residential properties. The c ity needs to be restrictive as to where outdoor storage is allowed within the light industrial zo ne. • The ci ty should consider allowing outdoor storage along the freeway as it is a good area for industrial uses. The c ity only has a limited amount of free way area. B. Uses in Rural Zones Jeff Smyser, City Planner, distributed sections from the zoning ordinance regarding uses allowed in the rural zone. Mr. Smyser reviewed the purpose of each of the rural zoning districts. He noted that th is discussion wa s prompted by a property owner who is currently running a trucking business in the rural area , which is not listed as an allowable use . Mr. Smyser added that the council had directed staff to discuss the issue at a planning and zoning boar d meeting for comm ent. The board was asked to comment on the consideration of an agricultural use versus a business that services an agricultural use. Staff noted that the property owner considers his business to be allowable because it serves an agricultural use being th at his trucks haul fertilizer . However, upon council discussion, the city attorney pointed out that a