09-23-1998 Council Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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r TO:Planning Commission FROM:Ron Moorse, City Administrator DATE:August 17,1998 SUBJECT: Response to Concerns Expressed by Property 0%vners Regarding the Revised Industrial Zoning District Ordinance 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Subd. 2, Paragraph A - Restrictions regarding noise, vibration, etc. These can be eliminated and replaced with language referring to MPCA standards. Staffs concern here is that the City avoids a new use in the industrial zone that would create noise, vibration, odor, etc. that would not be compatible with the residential neighborhood to the south, the residentially zoned property to the west, and the property planned for office development to the north. Bicycles and toys and paper products have been added back to the list of permitted uses. Definition of distribution center. The property owners have asked for a definition of "distribution center". The definition is as follows: "A use greater than 50,000 square feet in area in which typically large volumes of commodities are received and organized for transport prior to final dispersal to the consumer." Staffs concern here is to avoid a use that generates a high volume of truck traffic. Definition of wholesale showroom. The current code allows wholesaling as a permitted use. The listing of wholesale showroom as a permitted use provides for a showroom area to display products to wholesale customers. Warehousing. Warehousing has been added back to the list of permitted uses. Staffs concern is not related to the existing building being used for warehousing but rather staff would prefer that new development in the industrial zone involve other types of uses. Lot coverage. Retain the 45% lot coverage maximum vs. the reduction to 35%. Outside storage. The existing industrial zoning code allows outside storage with a conditional use permit. The proposed revised ordinance continues to allow outside storage with a conditional use permit, but limits the area of outside storage to an amount equal to 10% of the floor area of the structure on the property. The revised code also requires the outside storage to be completely screened rather than partially screened as called for by the existing code. Staff understands that industrial activities require some amount of storage of supplies, materials and inventory. It is less expensive and sometimes more convenient to store these items outside. Ho^’ever, staff has two concerns in this area. First, unlumted outside storage could result in properties in the area having very large areas used for outside storage. Secondly, properties in the area front ori Highway 12 and Old Crystal Bay Ro«..d. Outside storage that is not completely screened could have a substantial negative impact on the appearance of the area. Staff strongly recommends retainmg the proposed language related to outside storage.