Laserfiche WebLink
Ms. Moreland stated they originally proposed rezoning the property all together. She <br />understands Commissioner Brauer's point, but Bums Township allows these things, so she does <br />not see why they cannot be allowed for Mr. Menard as well. <br /> <br />Commissioner Brauer reminded her Bums Township is an entirely different city, whether or not <br />it is across the street from Mr. Menard. <br /> <br />Ms. Moreland stated she sees a problem with the ordinance in the market place; they cannot hand <br />the ordinance to a buyer and say this is what you can do. She indicated buyers cannot get a feel if <br />it would be worth it to apply. She stated they had a cabinetmaker with ten employees who was <br />interested, and the City did not object to the ten employees, only to what they would be doing. <br />She indicated they have seen dry wall companies with six vans, where no work would be taking <br />place on site, just showing up in the morning and leaving, but there is nothing in the ordinance <br />that says the Commission might approve this type of business. <br /> <br />Commissioner Brauer asked if they have tried to market the property as residential. <br /> <br />Ms. Moreland stated there are power lines overhead, peat soil on the back of the property that is <br />cost prohibitive to mitigate for building and it has a non-conforming use building. She added the <br />neighbor has a horse barn, and developers do not want to put single family homes there; no one <br />will touch it. <br /> <br />Commissioner Johnson indicated that it sounds like several uses have been brought before the <br />Planning Commission and City Council for this property. He asked if the applicant has sat down <br />with Staff to try and negotiate options, indicating this is not a good forum for this type of <br />negotiation, and it will be hard to come to a satisfactory conclusion. <br /> <br />Ms. Moreland stated they are trying to open the door for an ordinance to address this type of <br />property elsewhere in the city. <br /> <br />Commissioner Johnson indicated he understands, but he would like to again continue this matter <br />and direct Staff to negotiate with the applicant and see if they cannot work through a solution. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Wald stated they have no problem meeting again, but the applicant has a <br />specific proposal, and Staff needs direction from the Planning Commission. <br /> <br />Chairperson Nixt stated he does not think rewriting the Home Occupancy ordinance for one <br />property makes sense. He thinks it should be rewritten, but not like this. He noted the other <br />overriding issue is the applicant cannot move his property because of extenuating circumstances. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Wald stated Staff has been working with the applicant on this for years, and <br />they always provide the same information. She explained Staff's position, noting the City <br />Council is interested in seeing the property used for residential purposes and they would entertain <br />a home occupation proposal. <br /> <br />Planning Commission/July 10, 2003 <br /> Page 5 of 21 <br /> <br /> <br />