PL PACKET SPECIAL MEETING 06042012

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May 25, 2012 Page 4 6. Respect any applicants having a current application. On February 14, 2012, Muxamedrashid Ali submitted an application for a CUP to the city seeking a permitted conditional use of an "assembly" under sections 152.142(G) and 152.243 of the City Code (the "Application "). The Application describes the transformation of part of the Saint Anthony Business Center (the "Business Center ") into the Abu - Huraira Islamic Center (the "Islamic Center "). The Islamic Center will be used for religious, cultural, and educational purposes. The Islamic Center will be a place of worship, with certain religious ceremonies, such as prayer hours, conducted every day. Special worship ceremonies will occur during Ramadan. The Islamic Center will also be used for other types of cultural, educational, and religious activities. On March 13, 2012, the City Council adopted a resolution authorizing a study regarding regulation of assemblies, meeting lodges, and convention halls within commercial and light industrial zoning districts (the "Resolution "). The Study is to be undertaken by the City staff in conjunction with the Planning Commission for the purpose of considering amendments to the Zoning Code regarding the regulation of assemblies, meeting lodges, and convention halls. On March 13, 2012, the City Council approved an interim ordinance imposing a moratorium on the issuance of CUPS for assemblies, meeting lodges, or convention halls within commercial and light industrial zoning districts (the "Moratorium "). The Moratorium would generally be effective for one year, but the City Council is scheduled to act on this particular Moratorium by June 12, 2012 to coincide with the timeline for the city to make its land use decision regarding the Application under Minnesota Statutes section 15.99. C. Options. Based on the findings above, the study outlined three options for addressing issues surrounding the issuance of CUPS for "assemblies, meeting lodges, or convention halls" within the C and LI zoning districts. Option 1: Option one suggests clarifying or defining terms related to `assembly' and `church' under the Zoning Ordinance. This option would also serve to clarify the city's intended purposes within each of its zoning districts, but may not create a sufficient distinction between the two terms. Additionally, it does not address all of the study goals outlined in Section Iabove. Option 2: Option two suggests allowing all types of assembly use within LI and C zoning districts while simultaneously amending the Zoning Ordinance to clarify the associated definitions or terms. This option would establish limitations on assembly use related to the size or scope of the use. This option would help maintain the economic and development goals associated with the LI and C zoning districts but allow for a compromise for religious and secular assemblies interested in locating within these areas of the city. This option, however, does not fully carry out the city's intended economic goals related to its C and LI zoning districts and therefore may hinder the city's general planning objectives and opportunities for economic growth and prosperity. Option 3: Option three suggests allowing all assembly use (religious and non - religious) within the C zoning district and eliminating all `assembly' use from the LI district. This option would provide a reasonable alternative to applicants seeking places for assembly within the city and work to treat assemblies equally within the specific zoning districts. This option would also fully preserve the LI district as an area of the city devoted specifically to industry- oriented development and economic growth, and thus meet the city's general planning goals. D. Recommendations. The study recommends pursuing Option 3. This option would recommend that the City Council amend the Zoning Ordinance in a manner that balances the city's economic