6.8. SR 06-18-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2007 EXCERPT OF MINUTES: Members Present: Chair Stevens, Commissioners Anderson, Austad, Lemke, Scott, Staul and Westgaard. Members Absent: None Staff Present: Jeremy Barnhart, Planning Manger; Sheila Cartney, Senior Planner; Chris Leeseberg, Planner; Debbie Huebner, Recording Secretary 5.3. Request by City of Elk River for Ordinance Amendment Regarding Recreational Facilities in the Business Park Zoning District - Case No. OA 07-06 - Public Hearing Planning Manager Jeremy Barnhart explained that this request is in response to a building permit request to f111ish a tenant space for a commercial recreation business (dance studio/ gymnastics facility) in the Business Park zoning district. He explained that this type of use is permitted as a conditional use in the C-l and C-3 zoning district, and in the 1-1 zoning district as a conditional use, provided the property is not platted. The Commission is asked to consider whether or not additional zoning districts should permit this type of use as a permitted use or conditional use, specifically the Business Park district. Mr. Barnhart reviewed four options for the City consider, ranging from making no amendment to allowing the use as an accessory use with restrictions on the size of the facility. He asked that the Commission make a determination whether the use is appropriate or not, and if not, where it should be permitted. Staff recommends Commercial Recreation not be permitted within the Business Park Zoning District. Should the Planning Commission and City Council feel the use is appropriate, Staff would recommend a Commercial Recreation use be classified as an accessory retail use, for the purposes of space allocation, and preservation of business park character, with no more than 15% (5,000 sq ft) of the occupied quarters being used for the Commercial Recreation. Vice-Chair Scott opened the public hearing. Pat Briggs, of Briggs properties and owner of the subject property - Provided background information regarding his business interests in the community, and history of his request to locate the PS Dance Studio in his existing facility in the Elk River Business Park. He stated that a former staff person agreed that the use could be allowed with no conditional use permit, since it would be utilizing less than 15 percent of the total occupied space of the building. He stated that he has a signed lease with his dance studio client and was ready to move forward with a building permit to finish the space, when he was told the use was not allowed under the current zoning. He stated that 75 percent of the building is leased and has created 52 jobs. He stated that he spoke with the Mayor and she suggested the item be discussed in a City Council workshop. He felt that staff's interpretation is incorrect and had concerns with the defmition being applied to the proposed use.