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July 10, 2012 Page 2 1. Title XV, Chapter 152, Section 152.008 (Definitions) With the exception of the R -1 A Single- Family Lakeshore District, the residential districts in the City Code allow for permitted conditional uses for "Churches, temples, or synagogues and their supporting homes, convents, or rectories ". The Commercial District allows for the permitted conditional use of "Assembly, lodge or convention halls ". The City Code does not provide definitions for any of the terns used in either reference. In reviewing ordinances from other communities, there is a trend to use terms such as "religious institution" or "place of worship" rather than defining each term (church, temple, synagogue, etc.). Additionally, ordinances in other communities generally make references for "clubs" or "lodges" rather than convention halls. The following terms should be defined: religious institution, assembly and club or lodge. Sample definitions found in other city codes or other resources are included. Definitions in italics are recommended for inclusion in the update. A. Religious Institution: Church/Religious Institution/Place of Worship: A tax- exempt building, together with its accessory buildings (supporting homes, convents or rectories) and uses commonly associated with religious institutions, where persons regularly assemble for religious worship and which building, together with its accessory buildings and common religious uses, is maintained and controlled by a religious body organized to sustain religious ceremonies and purposes. Religious Institution: A building or campus in which worship, ceremonies, rituals and education pertaining to a particular system of beliefs are held. Convents, rectories, homes, and the like may be considered as part of a religious institution campus if located on the same parcel. Religious Institution: An institution that people regularly attend to participate in or hold religious services, meetings and other activities. The term shall not carry secular connotation and shall include buildings in which religious services of any denomination hare held. Religious Institution: A building or edifice consecrated to religious worship, where people join together in some form of public worship under the aegis and direction of a person who is authorized under the laws of the State of Minnesota to solemnize marriages. A religious institution may include living quarters for persons employed on the premises and classroom facilities. The following are not considered as religious institutions: camp meeting grounds, mikvahs, coffee houses, recreational complexes, retreat homes, sleeping quarters for retreatants during spiritual retreats extending for periods of more than one day. Bible camps with live -in quarters, publishing establishments, ritual slaughterhouse, radio or television towers and transmission facilities, theological seminaries, day care centers, hospitals, and drug treatment centers. Religious Institution/Place of Worship: A tax- exempt building, together with its accessory buildings (supporting homes, convents or rectories) and uses commonly associated with religious institutions, where persons regularly assemble for religious worship and which building, together with its accessory buildings and common religious uses, is maintained and controlled by a religious body organized to sustain religious ceremonies and purposes. The term shall not carry secular connotation.