04-10-1995 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Request for Council Action continued page 2 of 3 Ap^il 5. 1995 Recommendation to Allow Shelters rezoning the propert>- to a commercial district fearful that if a shelter was to fail, the property would now be opened to other commercial uses that would not be as compatible to the adjacent residential area. If there was to be commercial rezoning, it should be considered under a comprehensive smdy or possible redevelopment of the Navarre area. The Planning Commission determined that the zoning must remain residential and the use allowed under a conditional use permit w ith appropriate controls. Review' E.xhibit C, Gaffron s memo of 3/13/95 lists many of the criteria discussed by both Planning Commission members, visitors, and residents during both the February work session and the public information meeting After discussion of the necessaiy contents and criteria to be included in an amendment of the code, it appeared that the use would be compatible at the site proposed by the applicant. In fact the Planning Commission intends to survey areas of the City to determine the number of properties that would qualify for shelter use based on the final established controls and standards, during the amendment process. Review Exhibits G and H, the minutes of the public information meeting and the notification map, 205 residents received written notification of the meeting of March 7th and approximately 35 to 40 people were in attendance. There appeared to be no organized opposition to the proposed use. Many of the questions raised by the residents were the very same questions raised by Planning Commission members during the work session discuss ’ons. Planning Commission members were comfortable fielding the questions raised by residents now that they were more familiar with the subject matter. Planning Commission Recommendation Pages 10 and 11 of the minutes of the March 7th public information meeting contain the indWidual recommendations of each of the seven Planning Commission members. Their recommendation asks that the zoning remain residential and that a conditional use permit be developed that would not only provide the necessary protection of the existing residential surrounding neighborhood but would enable the success of a shelter at the proposed location. Many felt although we were unable to document immediate shelter needs in the Orono community or its contract cities, domestic problems exist every where; and that once located in the community the shelter would be available to serve the needs of the commumty. Next Steps/Timeline The applicant has advised staff that the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency will extend the grant award to fund the purchasing and remodeling of the building until the end of August. Based on Council ’s directive on this request, staff would schedule a public hearing for the proposed zonmg amendment in early May and bring the final draft of the amendment back to the Council at their meeting on May 22nd. Once the code amendment is finalized, the applicant may file the