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pk.? • ` Item # 5.1 3. City of , MEMORANDUM Elk ,, River TO: Planning Commission FROM: Scott Harlicker, Senior Planne4 DATE: February 27, 2001 SUBJECT: Case No. OA 00-8 Request by City of Elk River for Ordinance Amendment Regarding Agricultural Research Request Consider a request by the City of Elk River to amend the Zoning Code to create a definition for Agricultural Research and establish an AR (Agricultural Research) District. • Overview In May 1995, a conditional use permit was granted to Cargill for a feedlot at their animal nutrition center. The conditional use permit was issued for their existing facility on the south side of 165th Avenue and the proposed expansion of their swine facility. At the time it was felt that their facility best fit the definition of a feedlot which is defined as, "A confined area used for housing or feeding poultry or livestock where substantial amounts of animal waste will be generated, but not including barns or pens which are necessary uses incidental to farming operation." This definition does not accurately describe the operations of Cargill's facility. One aspect of the operation fits the zoning code definition of a feedlot, but the nutrition center is primarily a research center and offices for the development of improved animal nutrition. Along with research in animal nutrition, the center conducts research in the preservation of feed and silage, development of new types of feed and laboratory analysis. During the summer of 1996 the City and Cargill began discussions that included the current classification of the nutritional center as a feedlot as well as which zoning district classification would be most appropriate for Cargill's property. The facility is an agricultural research facility that does not fit neatly into any of the • existing definitions or zoning districts. Cargill's 980 acres is currently part of 3 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • TDD &Phone (763) 441-7420 • Fax (763) 441-7425