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Planning Director Gundlach stated the applicant is also requesting a Nonconforming Use Permit. This <br />request is necessary as the applicant intends to run the office portion of this business out of an existing <br />building on the property that does not meet the required side yard setback of 15' and rear yard setback of <br />20'. The existing setbacks are 2' in the side yard and 19' in the rear yard. The purpose of the <br />Nonconforming Use Permit is to determine if nonconformities can be practically eliminated and/or <br />reduced. <br />Planning Director Gundlach explained the applicant submitted materials indicating they would not <br />utilize "gaudy or flashy advertising such as banners or balloons" and the "only visible change to the <br />property would be a small sign indicating the driveway entrance to reach the vehicles", which is a <br />requirement under the State's dealer license. Regarding vehicles sales uses, the City has approved <br />several Special Use Permits over the years for small dealers. The conditions have generally been <br />consistent across all the Special Use Permits. Staff's recommendation would be generally consistent <br />with previous requests and approvals. <br />Planning Director Gundlach stated back in 2016, this property secured approvals of a Site Plan, Special <br />Use Permit, Variance, and Nonconforming Use Permit to construct a large addition to the main building. <br />The attached Site Plan reflects those improvements. It is worth noting the building proposed for vehicle <br />sales was permitted to remain as -is at that time because other more meaningful improvements were <br />made to the property that resulted in a practical and overall reduction of nonconformities. <br />Planning Director Gundlach commented lastly, the property owner owns several adjacent properties, <br />which has created confusion surrounding what address is valid for this request. Based on Ramsey <br />County records, staff proposes to use 327B Old Highway 8 NW for the Special Use Permit. 347 Old <br />Highway 8 NW was indicated on the hearing notice, which is the property to the immediate north and in <br />common ownership. The hearing notices appropriately covered the 350' notification requirement. Staff <br />recommends approval of the Special Use Permit and Nonconforming Use Permit, subject to the <br />following conditions: <br />No more than 6 vehicles may be kept on site for vehicle sales at any given time. <br />Semis/tractor/trailers shall not be allowed to offer for sale. <br />2. The sales operation office shall be located within the existing building at the northeast <br />corner of the property. <br />3. Any vehicles located on the property and advertised for sale shall be operable, in good <br />repair, and be properly licensed. <br />4. Inoperable and/or unlicensed vehicles for sale may not be kept on site. <br />5. All vehicles must be located in the six designated parking stalls in the rear of the property <br />and at all times be out of public view from the street. <br />6. The six stalls shall be paved to control dust and drainage. <br />7. No parking of vehicles is allowed within 5' of the rear property line. <br />8. No balloons, streamers, blow-ups, or the like shall be displayed on site. <br />9. Signs not exceeding 4 SF shall be allowed for driveway and building identification of the <br />vehicle sales operation. No other permanent signage shall be allowed. <br />Discussion included: <br />Ground sign and parking requirements were reviewed with the Commission. <br />The Commission asked what the difference was between having five or six cars for sale. It was <br />noted staff was recommending no more than six cars be located on the property for sale. <br />3 <br />