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43 Inc., a large medical technology company with headquarters in the Twin Cities. The Business Center is now rented to a number of tenants from a variety of industries as office space. The Islamic Center has advised the City that it has a purchase agreement for the Business Center and desires to occupy the lower level of the Business Center's south building. The remainder of the Business Center is proposed to continue to run as `office tenant space" and otherwise not change its character or occupancy use. Certain tenants in the Business Center have leases that do not expire until 2015. The Islamic Center would not displace the Business Center's current tenants, and the applicant, through his attorney, has stated that the only portion of the building that will be tax-exempt will be the area covered by the CUP for the "assembly" use. The applicant does not intend to expand the Business Center or otherwise make improvements besides minor improvements to improve access for persons with disabilities and to ensure that the sprinkler system is legally compliant. 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. 4.2 Resolution Adopting Study 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. 4.3 Interim Ordinance (Moratorium) 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 under Minnesota Statutes section 15.99. 5.0 LEGAL FRAMEWORK As with all actions taken by the City, the City should consider the legal authority and framework for the enactment of its ordinances. The City has been granted land use planning authority by the Minnesota Legislature for a number of purposes, including "to promote the "public health, safety, and general welfare." Minn. Stat. § 462.351. Minnesota Statutes section 462.351 acknowledges the necessity of wise planning decisions: "Municipal planning will assist in developing lands more wisely to serve citizens more effectively, will make the provision of public services less costly, and will achieve a more secure tax base." Section 473.851 likewise -13- $'rODY OI' ASSP_MBLIES, MEETING LODGES, AND CONVENTION HALLS CITY Of $AIN'TANTHONY VILLAGE