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Donation Bin Staff Report <br />August 3, 2009 <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />Shoreview: These are permitted in non-residential districts through the formal Site <br />and Building Plan Review process - Planning Commission review and <br />Council approve/deny. City Code defines them as accessory <br />structures. Location, setbacks and screening are the principal <br />considerations for these in Shoreview. <br /> <br />New Brighton: The code is silent on these types of uses. They do have a section in <br />the general business zoning district that allows “up to four electronic <br />amusement devices or games” as an accessory use. Staff uses this <br />section of code when determining if Red Box or vending machines are <br />allowed (because these uses aren’t addressed in the code either). <br />They suppose the donation boxes are similar, although they don’t <br />provide amusement. With Red Box and vending machines staff tells <br />them to meet building setbacks, cannot obstruct parking or drive <br />aisles, and cannot otherwise create a nuisance (but again, this isn’t <br />specifically stated in the code). <br /> <br />White Bear Lake: Their code does not address donation bins. The city does not do <br />anything if they are brought in. <br /> <br />Staff’s concern with these boxes is that they contribute to clutter, bear no association to the <br />host property (in contrast with a video drop box, for example, at a video store) and that they <br />could become unsightly, aesthetically displeasing and a drop-off point for non-clothing <br />debris and other junk. The Epilepsy Foundation asserts that they have an impeccable <br />record for maintenance and collection and that their boxes would not be unsightly, nor have <br />they had problems at their other bin sites, but this may not be the case with other <br />companies’ bins. <br /> <br />Two Mounds View businesses have asked staff if they could place a “Redbox” movie rental <br />vending machine outside of their business. These are usually placed inside a business <br />(typically grocery stores and McDonald’s), but can also be placed outside for 24 hour <br />access. Staff does not believe that any Redboxes have been placed outside of a business <br />in Mounds View, but outdoor vending machines (including food and beverage dispensing) <br />could also be discussed along with the donation bins. These vending machines are located <br />next to the building rather than in the parking lot, but some cities have reported criminal <br />issues resulting from these vending machines being outside and accessible 24 hours a day. <br /> Redbox would also want the vending machines to be located in a very visible location, <br />such as next to a main entrance. <br /> <br />If the City Council were inclined to allow such uses and other unrelated incidental <br />accessory uses, staff would recommend that the City use the following standards: <br /> <br />- The donation bin or vending kiosk must be located behind the front line of the host <br />building and adjacent to the building as opposed to elsewhere on the lot. <br /> <br />- Limit the total number of such vending machines and donation bins in the city. Staff <br />would have to find a way to track how many are here.