2002-034 Council Resolution - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Several requirements pertain to the design of the site. We do not have specific design information necessary to judge if the application complies with all the ordinance requirements, such as those for lighting and parking. • We can address the locational requirements now. The ordinance states that the property cannot abut property zoned residential, rural, or business. Abutting includes across a street. The subject site is directly across the street from an R-3 zoning district. The intent of the ordinance is to allow outdoor storage only on light industrial sites that are internal to the zoning district. That is, the sites are not to be on the edges of an LI zoning district, but toward the inside of the district. That way, the storage sites will always be screened not only by onsite design features, but also by other industrial properties. We note that Gethsemene Church across Lake Drive has sent a letter stating it does not oppose the application for outdoor storage. While we appreciate the church's input, it does not erase the ordinance prohibitions. The proposed site is exactly the type of location prohibited by the outdoor storage ordinance. A variance would be necessary to allow this business on this site. • The ordinance states that the actual outdoor storage area cannot abut a school or park. The property abuts a stormwater pond on school property, but the submitted sketch shows a fenced area for storage which does not abut the school property. An area with "grass seed" is shown separating the two. In fact, the seeded area appears to cover over half the entire site, according to the drawing, rendering it unusable. It is probable that once the business and storage are established, a successful construction business will grow and need additional storage area for equipment. Contractor yards typically accumulate more and more equipment and material over time. That is, because of the type of business Bald Eagle is in, it will be difficult to keep fully one half of the site unusable. Even assuming the property owner properly requests expansion of the storage, the City will have created for itself a difficult situation where an intended buffer is threatened. We note that the school district has sent a letter stating it does not oppose the application for outdoor storage. While we appreciate the district's input, it does not erase City staff's concerns. Standard Conditional Use Permit Requirements: Most types of conditional uses listed in the zoning ordinance have specific conditions, such as those discussed above. In addition, there are general requirements that apply to all CUPs. (Sec. 2 Subd. 2.B.7)