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42 <br />The building was to be used mostly on Sundays and some weeknights at times that would not <br />impact surrounding properties because they were not generally open for business on those days <br />and times. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the application, and the pastor <br />of Mountain of Fire secured agreements with neighbors of Northgate Business Center regarding <br />potential overflow parking. <br />At its October 25 meeting, besides raising general questions about parking and the <br />building sprinklers, the City Council had more significant concerns about the potential growth of <br />the religious group and its impact on the light industrial zoning district. Specifically, council <br />members stated that they did not believe "a light industrial area is a good place for a church" and <br />that "a residential area would be more appropriate." The underlying concern was based on the <br />state of the economy. Members of the City Council felt that the light industrial zoning district <br />was a district intended to attract jobs and economic growth. Although the space sought by <br />Mountain of Fire was currently vacant, the City Council felt that if the economy improved, an <br />actual light industrial business may desire to occupy the location. Mayor Jerome Faust, in <br />particular, stated that this use would not be a compatible use for future planning. <br />The discussion ended with a denial of the CUP application on a vote of 4 to 1. Only one <br />council member believed that Mountain of Fire's proposed use constituted an "assembly" under <br />the Zoning Code. The other four believed that Mountain of Fire's proposed use did not fit the <br />economic development and general planning goals of the City. <br />Abu-Huraira Islamic Center -- Pending CUP Application (Feb. 2012) <br />On February 14, 2012, Muxamedrashid Ali submitted an application for a CUP to the <br />City seeking a permitted conditional use of an "assembly" under sections 152.142(G) and <br />152.243 of the City Code (the "Application"). The Application describes the transformation of <br />part of the Saint Anthony Business Center (the `Business Center") into the Abu-Huraira Islamic <br />Center (the "Islamic Center"). <br />The Business Center is located at 3055 Old Highway 8, St. Anthony, MN 55418-2500. <br />The Business Center is located within a light industrial zoning district in-between Old Highway <br />8 and U.S. Highway 88.1 The Business Center consists of a three-story office building and a <br />south building with a basement. The Business Center comprises approximately 103,460 square <br />feet of space. A parking lot with 92 parking spaces is adjacent to the south building of the <br />Business Center, with another 237 parking spaces located adjacent to the three -storied building, <br />for a total of 329 parking spaces. The Business Center was formerly occupied by Medtronic <br />1 The map depicting the "Pattern of Existing Land Use" for 2006 in Figure 2-1 (page 2-3) of the City's 2008 <br />Comprehensive Plan incorrectly lists the lot on which the Business Center is located as `commercial retail" use. <br />However, the use that existed at the time of the 2006 survey was an office building and not a business "providing <br />retail trade or services for individuals or businesses" Page 2-16 of the Comprehensive Plan denotes that "office <br />buildings" correspond to the light industrial zoning district. The zoning map included with the Comprehensive Plan <br />correctly depicts the Business Center as existing within the light industrial zoning district. Bill Weber, consultant <br />for the 2008 Comprehensive Plan, confirmed with the City that the land use map on page 2-3 is incorrect and the use <br />should have been marked "light industrial." The Business Center's current use continues to be for an office <br />building. The City should ensure that all uses are depicted accurately at the next update of the Comprehensive Plan <br />and might consider revising the current version to include the correct information prior to the next update. <br />-12- <br />S ruuY Or ASs1iMULIBS, MEETING LODGES, AND CONVENTION HAIA'S <br />CITY OF sAINIAN'HIONY VILLAGE <br />