05-05-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Item No: 5A Meeting Date: May 5, 2010 Type of Business: Business City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Planning Commission From: Heidi Heller, Planning Associate Item Title/Subject: Consider a Zoning Code Text Amendment to Add “Thrift Store” and Other Types of Businesses as Permitted Uses in the B-1 Zoning District Introduction: Dawn Huffman has applied to the City for a zoning code text amendment to add “thrift store” as a permitted use in the B-1, Neighborhood Business district. She wants the City to make this change so she may open a thrift store in the vacant space at 2408 County Road I. City staff recently noticed remodeling work occurring in the former laundromat space in the building at 2408 County Road I. (This property is zoned B-1, Neighborhood Business). After talking to the people working in this space, City staff learned that they planned to open a thrift store. After reviewing the B-1 zoning code, City staff informed this potential new business owner, along with the building owner, that the existing B-1 zoning code does not allow thrift stores. In fact, there are now only five permitted uses in the B-1 zoning district: barbershops, beauty parlors, convenience grocery stores (not supermarket type), self-service laundromats and essential services (utility or government uses). The City may allow a daycare center in the B-1 district with the approval of a conditional use permit. City staff spoke to the thrift storeowner about this situation, and she has now applied to the City for a zoning code text amendment for the B-1 zoning district. Discussion: According to the Zoning Code, the purpose of the B-1 district is as follows: The purpose of the B-1, Neighborhood Business District, is to provide for the establishment of local centers for convenient, limited office, retail or service outlets which deal directly with the customer for whom the goods or services are furnished. These centers are to provide services and goods for the surrounding neighborhoods and are not intended to draw customers from the entire community. Staff researched what other cities allow in zoning districts that are comparable to Mounds View’s B-1 district. All seven of the zoning codes from the other cities that staff reviewed allow several uses in their similar neighborhood business districts. In general, all of the other cities zoning codes allow service businesses such as medical clinics and offices, along with several different types of retail in their respective neighborhood or limited business district zoning districts.