02-22-1995 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT MLNUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION ON DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTERS HELD ON JANUARY 20, 1995 similiir to it is listed ss sn Allowed use in sny of our residentisl or commercisl zoning districts. He referred to the compilation of residential and commercial district uses handed out at the meeting. Peterson questioned what is a "public service structure" and would a shelter fall into this category. Gaffron replied that a public service structure is defined as electric transmission lines, lift stations, telephone exchange stations, etc., i.e. items of infrastructure. Gaffron noted that there are two apparent ways to amend the code to accommodate a shelter. Both require creation of a conditional use with performance standards. The first method would be to amend the LR-IC District to allow the shelter conditional use, without rezoning the property. The second option would be to rezone the property to perhaps B-4, a commercial zone which allows somewhat similar uses such as nursing homes, rest homes and retirement homes. The B-4 zone would be amended to include shelters as a conditional use. Gaffron noted that rezoning the property to B-4 might ultimately lead to commercial use of that property if the shelter fails. Leaving it LR-IC and allowing the shelter as » conditional use allows the City to place restrictions in the performance standards to strictly limit the namre of the shelter use. All Planning Commissioners present indicated rezoning '.o commercial would be inappropriate, and amending the LR-IC zone would make sense. Lindquist noted that is also in line with what the neighbors present at the last meeting wanted. Schroeder asked whether we had he^d from more than just the two neighbors. Mabusth commented she had heard from John O’Sullivan who had recently purchased the Texaco site to the south, and he at least at this time in the preliminary discussions had no problems with the shelter use. Gaffron indicated the next step would be to consider what .specific performance standards and controls would be appropriate to accomplish the City ’s goals for a shelter. Is it the goal to |i^*^ a shelter to just this site, or to allow one in otlter areas? Do the specific needs for visibility, transportation, etc. help define locations to which a shelter should be limited? Gaffron noted that the Minnetonka City Attorney, who is an Orono resident, had commented that making shelters a conditional use in a residential zone would be her preference, that is how Minnetonka proceeded, but that due to a number of factors they might have preferred that the Sojourner shelter be in a location not as "tucked into" a residential neighborhood. Gaffron c- i. in^-.ed that there are certain needs inherent in the shelter use such as parking availabiiuv would become minimum performance standards. He also suggested Planning Commission should consider whether only the LR-IC District would be amended, or whether other districts could appropriately have a shelter. He indicated that it is certainly feasible to allow a shelter only in the LR-IC District and in no other residential districts if the Planning Commission feels that is appropriate. Schroeder suggested staff may wish to check with the City Attorney for his comments. Lindquist noted that since staff has to administer this, does staff have a preference which zones would allow shelters. Gaffron indicated that it perhaps could be