5.3. PCSR 01-23-2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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a. Where screening is not required, barrier style curb B612 shall be installed to define the limits of the approved outdoor storage area. To help reduce visibility from the road, staff recommend the condition from the previously approved CUP of - "Business materials/equipment (excluding vehicles) shall not be higher than six (6) feet in the storage area" be included. The purpose of the outdoor storage ordinance is to outline screening requirements (fencing and/or berming) as well as defining the limits of the approved storage area to prevent area creep. Per the ordinance, the entire storage area needs to be paved with an approved surface (class 5, asphalt, concrete) and shall be completely screened from view where the barrier is allowed to reduce visibility but is not required to totally block the vision. In other words, the area needs to have a full barrier but does not need to be 100% opaque, a chain -link fence with fabric mesh for example. The commission should review the submitted site plan and determine if the proposal meets the screening requirements or if they would like to see the outdoor storage area limits more clearly defined with either fencing/screening and gates, the use of concrete barrier style curb B612, or large landscape boulders. The commission may add a condition requiring a fence and/or gate to be installed between the house and accessory structure to screen views into the storage area from the right-of-way. Staff recommend large landscape boulders and screening between the house and accessory structure. Employees While the business employees 10-20 employees, only a few will be on site during the day as the rest will meet on the job site. Their vehicles will be parked in the outdoor storage area. The commission can recommend a limit on the number of employees on site if needed. Structures The applicant indicated they will not be using any structures on site for the business. Any future use of these structures, including storage and routine maintenance/repair of vehicles and equipment, will require an amendment to the IUP. The building department would then review the plans to ensure they have been prepared by an architect, and ensure they meet commercial building codes. Public Comments Staff received a question from two residents asking why property owners farther away from the subject parcel are not notified and why notices are not sent out earlier. State statute requires notification of property owners within 350 feet, but the city council expanded the notification area to property owners within 500 feet. When a property is near the city limits, staff also reach out to the neighboring communities. Ten property owners in Elk River were notified of this IUP and four in Anoka County. Public hearing letters were mailed to residents in the 500-foot area on January 12, 2024. State statute also states public hearing shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the town, municipality, or other area concerned, and in the official newspaper of the county, at least ten days before the hearing. The hearing shall consist of notice of the time, place, and purpose of any public hearing. The public notice was published in the Star News January 13, 2024. Staff received two emails opposing the proposed residential occupation citing noise, increased traffic, loud equipment, dumping of materials on the property, working outside of approved CUP hours, and property