01-26-1998 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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I ) 1 COUNCIL MLETi: !0 REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION JAN 2 6 1998 DATE: JanSJRf 8 ITEM NO /3 Department Approval: Name Liz Van Zomeren Title City Planner Administrator Reviewed:Agenda Section: Zoning Item Description:ftiyiZ Freshwater Foundation 2500 Shadywood Road Conditional Use Permit Amendment-Public Hearing Zoning District: B-4, Office and Professional District Application: The applicant is requesting approval to proceed with negotiations to lease the lower level of the existing building to a corporation for research. The existing conditional use permit was issued to the Freshwater Foundation in May 1995 for continued use as a research and educational facility. (Resolution #3561). Since the Freshwater Foundation received the building back from the University of Minnesota in the early 1990's, the Foundation has tried to find other tenants to locate in the building. They are currently negotiating with a corporation to conduct biological research including treatment of water. Representatives from the Freshwater Foundation have met with City staff to discuss the change in occupancy. Staff advised the applicant to amend or provide new information to the Planning Commission and City Council to update the conditional use permit. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: The Planning Commission discussed the application and was concerned about the type of research that would be conducted and the agencies that would be involved in permitting. They discussed asking the tenant to provide a listing of all permitting agencies. The applicants raised concerns about security, confidentiality of the type of research, and industrial espionage. After discussion, the Planning Commission decided to take no action. COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED: To provide direction to the applicant regarding the status of their conditional use permit for a research and educational facility. fl