04-20-1998 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Orono enacts moratorium in city’s industrial district By Michelle Wallin Minnesofa Sun Publications The Orono City Council at its March 9 meeting adopted an ordi nance enacting a six-month moratori um regarding development in the city’s industrial dist ict. According to a city report, the city’s Zoning Code allows uses in the industrial zone that are “substantial ly contrary ” to the general concept plan for land use along Highway 12 that was approved by the council on Feb. 23. Staff recommended that the city conduct a study to determine the types of uses that are compatible with the general concept plan. The purpose of the moratorium, ef fective until Sept. 15, is to prevent in compatible uses from being introduced into the industrial district during the period of the study. The moratorium suspends the in troduction of certain uses that are usu ally allowed in the industrial zone, and also suspends uses which require the city to issue a new conditional-use per mit. The moratorium affects the follow ing uses: • Automobile and truck painting, major repair, body and fender work, upholstering, tire recapping, sales and storage • Storage repair and wholesaling of boats and marine products • Bus, truck and contractors termi nals and maintenance yards • Lumber yards, millworks, ware houses • Farm equipment sales, repair and storage • Motor fuel stations, open sales lots, outside storage and railroad switch yards At its March 23 meeting, the Orono City Council amended the moratori um to include an exemption policy. Ac cording to the policy, the City Council may grant exemptions to the morato rium to allow new, permitted uses in situations where the restrictions im posed would cause “undue hardship.” Four other conditions also must be rnet by those applying for an exemp- jn. For more information call the city of Orono at 473-7357. AP12IL -i