10-23-2001 PC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission Minutes October 23, 2001 Page 9 . Commissioner Baker asked why Mr. Martens would not build in the 12 District, if he wanted to build warehouse space. Ms. McPherson explained that Mr. Martens has entered into a long term development agreement with the City to develop a 40 acre business park with specific standards for what he must to build and when. If Mr. Martens did not have that agreement with the City, he would have the option to negotiate land elsewhere in the city for a pure warehouse use. Mr. Martens felt limiting use of distribution space within office/warehouse buildings is highly unusual. Chair Pederson asked for clarification of repair and maintenance. Mr. Martens cited an example of a business that refurbishes and services computers. He eXplained that he was referring to equipment-type of repair and maintenance, not vehicle maintenance or body shops. There being no further public comment, Chair Pederson closed the public hearing. Chair Pederson stated that he felt repair and maintenance of technology equipment would fit in the business park district. He was uncomfortable with the 50 percent warehousing as a permitted use, and felt a showroom needs to be finished space. Chair Pederson was concerned that the ordinance was being tailored to fit one user. . Commissioner Franz stated that the country is moving away from being a manufacturing society and moving more toward importing products from other states and countries to make them available in the area. He felt this ordinance amendment is important to attract these kinds of companies and that along with them will come businesses with some office and showroom needs. Commissioner Baker stated he did not have a concern with repair and maintenance businesses as long as it was technology-related and did not include heavy equipment and trucks. He did not feel showrooms for heavy equipment such as printers would need to be finished and the level of finishing should be left up to the business, since they would be most concerned about how their product would be displayed to attract buyers. Commissioner Baker did not feel increasing the warehouse space fit with the business park district purpose to provide more jobs. He stated he could not support a recommendation for approval at this time. Commissioner Ropp agreed that the amendment does not fit the Business Park District Statement of Purpose. He stated he would like to see showroom space finished to clearly define it from warehouse space. Commissioner Franz stated that warehouse space is needed not only for finished goods but for raw materials as well. He felt 30 percent is very restrictive to a business involved in light manufacturing. He noted that even if the intent is to have more jobs per square foot, Elk River will have no jobs per square foot if we are too restrictive in our ordinance, because no one will come here to build light manufacturing or assembly facilities. He agreed that further work may be required on the amendment, and suggested tabling the issue, rather than recommending denial. He stated that he agreed with the intent to expand the amount of warehouse space. .