01-17-2006 Planning Commission Packet

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�.�TS � ' NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS , INC . : .��;�. °s�; ,��>::.�: ,��;, 4800 Olson Mernorial Highway, Suite 202, Golden Valley, MN 55422 �``"��` Telephone: 763.231 .2555 Facsimile: 763.231.2561 planners�nacplanning.com �:�; .£;: � MEMORANDUM TO: Orono Planning Commission Michael Gaffron, Planning Director FROM: Stephen Grittman DATE: January 13, 2006 RE: Orono— Industrial District Zoning Amendments NAC FILE: 289.01 Background Enclosed with this memorandum, you will find a proposed draft of a revised Industrial District for the City of Orono's zoning ordinance. The material was developed from a combination of the existing ordinance language and format, together with industrial zoning regulations from several other communities. City staff members developed background material, and held a series of ineetings with the consultant representatives. With this material, two optional approaches were developed for discussion purposes. The district is being rewritten to address a number of issues related to the current industrial district regulations. These include an overly prescriptive (and outdated) list of allowable uses, and a transition in the activities in the industrial park area. The goals of the project has been to establish new regulations that accommodate contemporary industrial development, maintain City officials' ability to administer the ordinance effectively, and provide clearer direction to property owners as to how the City will process requests for development in the district. Over the past two weeks, workshop meetings were held to discuss issues and aspects of the proposed changes. Members of the Planning Commission and representatives of the Industrial district property owners were present. From these discussions, the attached draft was produced.