03-13-2006 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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� ` t - NORTHWEST ASS4CIATED CONSULTANTS , INC . 4800 Olson Memorial Highway, Suite 202, Golden Valley, MN 55422 Telephone: 763.231 .2555 Facsimile: 763.231 .2561 planners�i7nacplanning.com MEMORANDUM TO: Mike Gaffron FROM: Stephen Grittman DATE: March 10, 2006 RE: Orono — Industrial Zoning District Amendment NAC FILE: 289.01 At the City Council's meeting on February 27th meeting, the Industrial District language was reviewed, and the Council requested information on two specific items. This memorandum is intended to summarize options for the Council's discussion at its upcoming March 13th meeting. • Retail Uses. The first item relates to the potential allowance of limited retail uses in the Industrial District, with some Council members noting that they have been able purchase certain items from industrial businesses in other communities. We cnecked several ordinances in various cornmunities and spoke with staff representatives to gain additional context on this item. In our research, we found that several ordinances (although not all) do permit limited retail under a variety of conditions, most often limitations on floor space (e.g. 10%), no retail-related signage, and most commonly, requirements that the goods are manufactured and warehoused on-site. Every ordinance that allowed this use required a Conditional Use Permit process. We also spoke with some of the zoning administration staff about their cities' application of this ordinance. Some indicated that they had actually issued very few such permits, although they were aware that some retail transactions were occurring. Enforcement was most often withheld, unless problems were encountered. One person told us that their community had removed the retail clause from their ordinance due to problems raised by a business that began to run a series of widely advertised (and attended) sales.