03-03-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View Planning Commission March 3, 2004 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Case PA04-001 Planner Prososki indicated that the applicant has requested an amendment to the PUD for Building N to allow a religious institution as a permitted use. The site is 6.89 acres and was intended for office use or flex space and has been partially vacant since the site was built. Planner Prososki indicated that the developer has a signed purchase agreement with Bethlehem Baptist Church. The Church would like to use the space for sanctuary space, offices, meeting spaces, and classrooms. There is adequate parking on the site and staff feels that traffic in the area should not be an issue as the major use is Sunday mornings when the other businesses in the area are not using the streets. Planner Prososki indicated the Church has no plans for non-church uses at this time but could lease out some space in the future. The Church plans to finish the interior of the space and would make some modifications to the exterior such as adding a canopy by the door, removing the loading docks and adding landscaping. Chair Stevenson asked if Staff reviewed the parking requirements for churches to make sure the requirements are met in order to avoid a future parking problem. Planner Prososki indicated that the Church is aware that the requirement is one space per every four seats so even at 1300 seating capacity they meet the requirements. Chair Stevenson indicated that during the development review the City would need to carefully consider and limit any exterior modifications. Commissioner Johnson asked whether anyone from Everest was at the meeting. Planner Prososki indicated that there was no one from Everest at the meeting. Planner Prososki indicated that the Code permits churches in R1 zoning districts as a conditional use as listed in the Staff report. She then commented that it seems unconventional to have a church in a business district so she researched other cities and found that Minneapolis and Brooklyn Park allow churches in any district with a special use permit or conditional use permit. Commissioner Miller asked if this is considered conditional. Planner Prososki explained that the request is considered and treated like a conditional use permit. Commissioner Zwirn asked if there are any plans now or in the future to have this developed into a sanctuary for the homeless or any kind of housing situation for abused women or children. Kenny Stokes, Pastor for Strategic Mobilization at Bethlehem indicated that they intentionally partner with homeless shelters off site and he does not foresee that at all. He further commented