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Planning Commission Minutes August 14, 2007 Page 6 Commissioner Westgaard stated that he felt the question is, if the use was allowed, what would it hurt? He stated he did not have a big issue with the use. He stated that existing business park space could sit empty for a long time, and that he would rather see it filled up. He stated that as he stated at the workshop, he felt the use could be allowed as a conditional use permit in any of the three underlying zoning districts zoned Business Park. Commissioner Scott asked what kind of conditions Cotnnussioner Westgaard would foresee in granting a conditional use permit. Commissioner Westgaard stated that each request would be considered on a case-by-case basis, and that in some areas, the use may not be appropriate. Commissioner Austad stated he felt the market figures these things out. He did not see an interim use as a good compromise. He stated his gut feeling is that the uses do not belong in business parks. He stated that the Council seems to feel that since the space is empty, let them in there. Commissioner Austad stated that an interim use could cause future headaches. Cointnissioner Staul stated that he is concerned about the impact on lease rates. He stated that it appears eight of the twenty business park sites are not true industrial and are more commercial He felt that the use may drive the market lease rates higher. He felt the mixed use provides ample opportunity for these types of businesses. Cormmissioner Scott stated he did not understand why there is the conflict, if the city has land uses that accommodate these types of businesses. Commissioner Lemke stated he was not in favor of allowing the interim use. He asked for clarification on the reasoning for business park zoning with three different underlying land uses. Mr. Barnhart explained that there are different standards that apply and that when the current ordinance was drafted, it was recognized that there would be some retail. He stated that he agreed with the Commission that the use as an interim use was not appropriate. He provided further clarification on the proposed amendment before the Commission. Commissioner Lemke stated that personally, he would like to work and recreate in Elk River, but since he could not work in Elk River, recreating here would help. He stated he was in favor of allowing the use as a conditional use in all three underlying land zoned Business Park. Chair Stevens stated that once the use is allowed, it stays there and does not go away. Commissioner Scott questioned how much business park zoned property is undeveloped. Mr. Barnhart stated that he could not guess, and would need to research it. Commissioner Scott stated that if he could pick and chose where these types of uses could go, he would like chose the business park setting. Chair Stevens stated he felt it was clear that the Mayor and Council Member Farber were not in favor of allowing the use on a permanent basis in the business parks. Commissioner Lemke asked how much of Business Park-zoned property has the underlying land use of Industrial. Mr. Barnhart stated that he would estimate 75 percent has an underlying land use of industrial, and that exceptions include business park property toward Ramsey on Highway 10 has an underlying land use of Highway Business, and well as property off Twin Lakes Road, and by the County Courthouse.