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PLANNING REPORT DATE: June 12, 2015 CASE: ZA2015-001, SP2015-006 SUBJECT: Zoning Code Amendment and Special Use Permit Regarding a Helipad at 1150 Old Highway 8 NW APPLICANT: AN Group, Inc. REQUEST & BACKGROUND AN Group, Inc. is requesting land use approval to install and use a helipad at 1150 Old Highway 8 NW, the site lying between their existing building (1100 Old Highway 8 NW) and their training center (1200 Old Highway 8 NW) currently under construction. The proposed helipad is 50' x 50' is size and located 90' from the curb of Old Highway 8 NW and 23' from the curb of Northwest Parkway. The applicant proposes to install a shrub screen, retaining walls, a sidewalk system, pedestrian lighting, pilot -controlled helipad lighting, reuse three existing park benches, install nine arborvitae, and preserve nearly all the existing trees. Additionally, the applicant proposes to remove 12" of an old building foundation to make room for the new helipad. Installation of the sidewalk system providing access between the helipad and the headquarters building at 1100 Old Highway 8 NW will result in a net loss of two parking stalls. The applicant is proposing use of the helipad 20 times per calendar year. New Brighton's Zoning Code does not provide for use of helipads in the City. In order for the applicant to secure land use approval for a helipad, the Planning Commission and City Council must consider the following land use applications: 1) Zoning Code Amendment: A Zoning Code Amendment is the legislative means to add the helipad use into the Zoning Code. The applicant, staff, and the City Attorney have collaborated on the language of the Zoning Code Amendment, which consists of a Special Use Permit in the NBE, New Brighton Exchange zoning district. Of all land use requests, the Planning Commission and City Council have maximum discretion in evaluating whether or not to approve amendments to the City of New Brighton's Zoning Code. 2) Special Use Permit: A Special Use Permit has been requested because the proposed Zoning Code Amendment makes the helipad use a specially permitted use. This report will examine compliance with the various conditions associated with the Special Use Permit. If all conditions can be met, the special use permit must be granted. It's important to note the Special Use Permit is only necessary should the Planning Commission recommend approval of the Zoning Code Amendment. The applicant has landed a helicopter on the south side of the headquarters building several times over the last year. These landings have not been in compliance with City of New Brighton Zoning Code standards, nor would they fall under any FAA or MnDOT emergency exceptions. The applicant first began meeting with staff approximately one year ago to discuss construction of a more formal helipad. Staff advised the applicant at that time to conduct sound analysis, meet with the most affected neighbors, and to schedule a demonstration for Commissioners and Council members. These tasks have been completed and the applicant discusses these results in the written narrative provided. Lastly, the site located at 1150 Old Highway 8 NW proposed for the helipad was included in the original Planned Unit Development (PUD) approval for the headquarters building at 1100 Old