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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes August 16, 1994 Page 9 1 City Manager Morrison explained the tentative plans call for an approximate 75,000 2 square foot facility with 60-65,00 square feet of outside storage. They have built seven 3 similar facilities throughout the country, this would be the first one in Minnesota. He 4 said that this would be a new type of building with outside storage being enclosed within 5 a building so it would not be comparable to other types of buildings for its value for tax 6 purposes. He also noted that this system does not use loud speakers and they plan to 7 direct lighting into the parking area. City Manager Morrison explained these types of 8 issues can,be addressed with the site plan and restrictions can be placed since a 9 conditional use permit would be required. 10 Mr. Cavanaugh spoke in opposition to the proposed ordinance amendment, commenting 11 on declining commercial property values and the impact it is having on increasing taxes 12 to residential property. He questioned when and if CUB would actually decide to locate 13 at Apache since there has been on-going discussions of this type for quite some time. Mr. 14 Cavanaugh stated he looked at different lumber yards to find out where they were located 15 and found them along freeways, in light industrial areas, and along the River. However, �6 he did not find any within a retail shopping center. He commented that Apache, when 7 constructed, was on the "cutting edge" but has now become obsolete with many stores 18 moving out. 19 Mr. Cavanaugh stated he feels a lumber yard is not compatible with this area due to the 20 location of residential and apartments and the low profile of Apache. He also questioned 21 the amount of lumber sales in a mature community. He urged the City to obtain 22 professionals to determine the highest and best use of this site and to calculate what the 23 tax impact will actually be. He also urged the Commission to recommend against the 24 ordinance amendment request and to consider placing a moratorium on Apache until 25 professionals can complete a study and make recommendations for this 56 acre site. 26 Jim Higgins, 2712 St. Anthony Boulevard, concurred and asked if the City was not 27 putting the "cart before the horse". He asserted that this request is out of sequence_and 28 should be tabled until a solid proposal is received from CUB. He reiterated Mr. 29 Cavanaugh's suggestion that a professional be hired to look at the acreage available and 30 determine the best use. 31 Chair Gondorchin closed the public hearing at 8:38 P.M. 32 Commissioner Franzese read a portion of the Ordinance that lists permitted and 43 conditional uses in a Commercial District. She emphasized that the purpose is to 4 minimize impact to residential districts and questioned whether a lumber yard fits in with 35 these types of uses. She commented that while there are uses the residents would like,by