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The goals of the Study are as follows: <br />➢ Determine the City's intended meaning of "assembly" within the Zoning Code; <br />➢ Determine whether the City intended religious assemblies to exist as conditional uses <br />within commercial and light industrial zoning districts; <br />➢ Ensure that any amendments to the City Zoning Code do not conflict with the City's <br />intent in planning for property use within its commercial and light industrial zoning <br />districts; <br />➢ Ensure that, if amended, the Zoning Code is improved in regards to consistency and <br />clarity with respect to the use of "assemblies'; <br />➢ Ensure that the Zoning Code is consistent with federal law; and <br />➢ Respect the current applicant's interests in receiving a reasonable and timely decision <br />regarding the pending application. <br />The Zoning Code exists in Chapter 152 of the City Code. It contains an "intent and <br />purpose" and defines and describes nine separate zoning districts in which certain uses may <br />occur as "permitted uses" or "conditional uses." Each zoning district has a stated purpose as <br />contemplated by the underlying planning goals of the City. "Churches, synagogues, and <br />temples" are allowed within certain residential districts. "Assemblies, meeting lodges, and <br />convention halls" are allowed within commercial and light industrial districts. These distinct <br />terms have distinct and separate intended meanings. The Zoning Code arguably prohibits places <br />of worship within non - residential districts because the use of a religious assembly does not fit the <br />type of assembly use allowed within the Zoning Code. <br />To increase clarity and consistency on valuable industrial and commercial uses within the <br />Zoning Code, the City Council should amend the Zoning Code. The City should do so in a <br />manner that conforms to the original intent of the City's zoning plan. This is possible by taking <br />one of the approaches suggested within this Study. <br />This Study describes three potential options for the City in amending its Zoning Code: <br />Option #I suggests clarifying or defining terms related to "assembly" and "church" use <br />under the Zoning Code. This option would solve problems concerning clarity and <br />consistency but may not, by itself, create a sufficient distinction between the two terms. <br />Option #2 suggests allowing all types of assembly use within light industrial and <br />commercial zoning districts while simultaneously amending the Zoning Code to clarify <br />the associated definitions or terms. This option additionally would establish limitations <br />on assembly use related to the size or scope of the use. This option would help maintain <br />the economic and development goals associated with the light industrial and commercial <br />zoning districts but allow for a compromise for religious and secular assemblies <br />interested in locating within these areas of the City. <br />• Option #3 suggests allowing all assembly use (i.e., religious and non - religious) within <br />the commercial zoning district and eliminating all "assembly" use from the light <br />industrial zoning district. This option would provide a reasonable alternative to <br />-2- <br />STUDY OF ASSEMBLIES, MEETING LODGES, AND CONVENTION HALLS <br />CITY OF SAINT ANTHONY VILLAGE <br />