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Planning & Zoning Board <br />January 8, 2003 <br />Page 12 <br /> APPROVED MINUTES <br />Mr. Hedger stated that Mr. Pfingsten seems to be a responsible person but it is not known <br />what will happen after he is gone and there is a new owner. <br />Chair Schaps stated he does not think the Commissioners are willing to consider a <br />rezoning tonight but he believes this is a reasonable request for a conditional use permit <br />and if the residents can meet with Mr. Pfingsten it would be a better option than taking a <br />chance that an auto body shop starts again. <br />Mr. Lyden asked if a new buyer can be stopped from parking these vehicles on the site. <br />Mr. Smyser recalled there have been several issues with properties that have outdoor <br />storage and trucks. He stated that it is an issue in rural zoning areas where some people <br />have businesses operating and residents object. Mr. Smyser stated there are ordinances <br />that allow indoor storage but the outdoor storage and activities on site are what are in <br />question here. <br />Mr. Smyser stated that the staff report raises the question of what type of business is <br />appropriate to consider. The Comprehensive Plan says those uses should be moved off to <br />an industrial area. If that is not going to be done, then the Comprehensive Plan language <br />should be reviewed. He noted the City is in the process of revising the Zoning <br />Ordinance, which addresses conditional use permits. Currently this is a nonconforming <br />property in a Rural district and there is not hing that says you can park vehicles outdoors <br />with a conditional use permit. He noted the City needs to consider the implications <br />beyond this one property. Mr. Smyser stated if directed, staff can consider language to <br />allow outdoor storage of vehicles in Rural zones. <br />Mr. Smyser stated that in this case whether the cars can be parked outdoors depends on <br />how large the vehicles are. He stated if the use was only storage inside the building, that <br />would not be a problem. The question is what is stored outside and what activity occurs <br />outside. <br />Diane Schally, 892 Maple Street, asked what happens when there are road restrictions. <br />Chair Schaps stated this business would be treated the same as other businesses. <br />Ms. Schally stated the building does not have bathroom facilities and asked if one would <br />have to be installed. She also noted there is not much space to park vehicles on this <br />property and asked if his equipment will be repaired on this site. If so, she asked if fluids <br />will be going into the ground. She stated she does not support this being approved. <br />Chair Schaps asked Mr. Pfingsten how many employees he has. Mr. Pfingsten responded <br />that he has one employee. <br />Mr. Rafferty asked Mr. Pfingsten how he would be treated as a customer if the job takes <br />one week. He asked if his yard would be cleaned up at the end of each day. Mr. <br />Pfingsten stated it will vary depending on the type of job, customer, and location. He <br />explained that if the job is out in Scandia Township and on a large residential lot, nine <br />out of ten times that customer will say it is fine to leave the trees and equipment on site.