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Memo to the Mayor and City Council/©A 97-2 <br />March 17, 1997 <br /> <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />In August 1996, the zoning code was amended to revise the list of <br />permitted and conditional uses in the industrial zones. The list of allowed <br />uses was amended to better reflect the intended purposes of the 2 <br />industrial zones. As part of that process kennels were excluded from the <br />list of allowed uses. <br /> <br />In November 1996, the City again took a look at kennels, amending the <br />zoning code to establish a definition for commercial kennels and private <br />kennels. During the review process for this amendment, appropriate <br />zones in which kennels should be allowed were also examined. As part of <br />this amendment, commercial and private kennels were established as <br />allowed uses in the A1 and Rla districts. <br /> <br />Analysis <br /> <br />The following issues are associated with the proposed ordinance amendment <br />and should be considered: <br /> <br />Mr. Droegemueller has indicated that his proposed kennel would fit in <br />well with his situation in McChesney Industrial Park and not affect the <br />operation of his business. However, even though this request was <br />triggered by a request for a specific property, it affects all property in the <br />light industrial and medium industrial districts. <br /> <br />Commercial kennels are not typically considered an industrial use. The I1 <br />district was established to accommodate manufacturing, warehousing and <br />similar industrial uses and the I2 district was intended to accommodate <br />more intense manufacturing and processing than would be allowed in the <br />I1 district. <br /> <br />Because of the hmited supply of industrial land within the city, it would <br />seem prudent to take a hard look at allowing non-industrial uses in the I1 <br />and I2 districts. Even though in Mr. Droegemueller specific situation the <br />construction of a kennel would not impact his existing industrial use, this <br />may not be the case in other locations. Industrial property, of which there <br />is a limited amount, could be developed as a non-industrial use and <br />thereby possibly eliminating a future industrial tenant. Elk River has a <br />large amount of agricultural and residential land available for <br />development as a commercial kennel. <br /> <br />According to the Comprehensive Plan, the city is concerned about <br />providing an appropriate industrial base to supply jobs and ensure a <br />strong tax base. The industrial districts were set up to help accomphsh <br /> <br />s:\planningkscott\oa97-2cc.doc <br /> <br /> <br />