5.12 PCSR 05-23-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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( MEMORANDUM r-Q ITEM 5.12. Ilkity of iElk • River TO: Planning Commission FROM: Gary Schmitz, Planning Assistant C,c,,s-16 DATE: May 23, 1995 SUBJECT: Ordinance Amendment Request By The City of Elk River, Public Hearing Case No. 0A95-05 REQUEST The City of Elk River is requesting an ordinance amendment which would amend the uses section of the Elk River Code to allow lumber yards as a conditional use in the C-3 (Highway Commercial) zoning district. The amendment would also delete unenclosed lumber yards as a permitted use in the I-2 (Medium Industrial) zoning district. ATTACHMENTS • Ordinance 95- . BACKGROUND The City of Elk River is proposing an ordinance amendment which would amend Section 900.12 "Permitted, Accessory and Conditional Uses by District" by adding lumber yards as a conditional use in the C3 Highway Commercial zoning district. The amendment would also consist of deleting unenclosed lumber yards as a permitted use in the 12 (Medium Industrial) zoning district. ANALYSIS The existing ordinance currently only allows lumber yards in the industrial zoning districts. Staff is proposing an amendment which would add lumber yards as a conditional use in the C-3 zoning district. Typically, industrial users tend to be production orientated and do not require a great deal of highway visibility. However, consumer orientated commercial property does necessitate a highly visible location with good access for a business to grow and prosper. Lumber yards create a high volume of customer traffic due to the high volume of retail sales. Highway visibility is highly desirable for today's lumber yards, which often sell not only lumber products but other • accessory products such as tools, electric supplies, lighting material, etc. In fact, most of the newly constructed lumber yards, i.e., Menards/Knox, have been built in areas with 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425