2016.08.16 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Planning Director Gundlach explained the applicant has used this property for many years for the outdoor storage of containers for his business known as The Big Blue Box. Currently, the applicant operates an office use in support of the storage out of the Armstrong Rigging office building to the immediate west at 587 1st Street SW. The applicant has indicated he has outgrown this space and wishes to construct a principal office use on the property to support the outdoor storage need for The Big Blue Box. Planning Director Gundlach stated from a land use perspective, outdoor storage as a principal use is not permitted under current zoning regulations. However, previous review of aerial photos reveals this property has been used for outdoor storage going back to the early 1970’s. Prior zoning codes allowed “storage” as a principal use and “outdoor storage” as a permitted accessory use. Not until the late 1990’s was outdoor storage regulated as a special use permit and only as an accessory use to permitted principal use. Thus, the applicant’s use of the property as outdoor storage as a principal use is grandfathered in. With construction of a permitted principal use (office) and securing a Special Use Permit for the existing outdoor storage, the existing and proposed uses would become permitted (assuming these land use requests are approved). Staff recommends approval of the Site Plan, Special Use Permit, and Nonconforming Use Permit, subject to the following conditions: 1. The project is developed in accordance with the submitted plans, provided as attachments to the Planning Report dated 8-11-2016, except as otherwise noted in the conditions of approval. 2. The Site Plan is amended to ensure following setbacks are met: a. A 15’ building setback to the western north/south side property line, b. A 50’ building setback to the OHWL of Jones Lake and such setback shall be measured at the shortest perpendicular distance to the 895.2 contour. 3. The applicant implements the recommendations noted in the Interoffice Engineering Memo. 4. All trailers stored on the property shall be properly licensed and operable. No junk, inoperable or unsightly trailers shall be stored on the property. 5. The applicant shall control any dust generated by the gravel storage area with a water truck or on-site sprinklers. 6. No bulk chemicals, or any materials that would general odors, smoke, glare, air pollution, or fire or safety hazards shall be stored on the property or within the trailers stored in the outside storage area. 7. All existing outdoor storage shall be moved to meet the 50’ setback to the OHWL of Jones Lake. 8. The modular building meets all State Building Code requirements. 9. The applicant submits a revised Landscape Plan depicting 30 canopy trees and 66 total shrubs (51 additional from current plan). 10. The applicant works with the modular building manufacturer to add brick, stone, or decorative block to the street side of the building to meet the minimum standard of Zoning Code Section 6-390(12). 11. DNR review of the proposed plans. Commissioner McPherson discussed the outdoor storage and questioned if it would be curbed or screened. Commissioner McPherson stated his immediate concern was how to mark the 50’ lake setback. Planning Director Gundlach reported the applicant was not proposing any curbing. She explained if this was a concern a condition for approval could be added stating: The applicant shall put in place a permanent marker at the 50- foot setback. Chairperson Nichols-Matkaiti asked if the soil on the site was a concern for the additional plantings. Planning Director Gundlach noted the only area of a concern was the soil more central to the site and near Jones Lake, not around the property periphery where most of the landscaping would be planted.