Agenda - Public Works Committee - 05/18/2010

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CASE # 1 PUBLIC WORKS SITE INVENTORY By: Amber G. Miller, Planning Manager Background: In July of 2009 the Planning Division reviewed the Public Works site looking specifically for code compliance with applicable zoning regulations, per the request of the Director of Public Works. The site is zoned Public/Quasi Public, according to 117-122 the performance standards shall be subject to the B-1 Business District regulations as outlined in 117-114. Applicable standards shall be a determination of the Zoning Administrator. In reviewing the surrounding property it is more logical to apply the standards of the E-2 Employment District since those are the zoning designations of the properties adjacent to the site. Therefore, the standards we applied in determining violations were the E-2 performance standards. This is an industrial area and it is appropriate to have some outside storage. Observations: Several of the non-conformities that were observed at the time of the visit in July have been addressed. The non-conformities we found at that visit were grass exceeding one foot in height, accumulation of waste, minor accumulation of tree trimmings (should have management plan for burning/chipping; may want to consider some sort of screening), cars parked outside on impound lot should be on paved surface, parking and maneuvering areas need to be paved (consider Site Plan for alternative surfacing material), and waste storage area should be screened. Outdoor storage is allowed in the E-2 district and it is an accessory use. It is allowed for up to 30% of the site. We believe this site meets these criteria. Currently, the storage of items is more spread out over the site. Consolidating storage is one way to address the concerns. However, since the accumulated waste has been removed and the stored items have been neatly stacked along the fencing, it may have a neater appearance than trying to have everything clustered in one smaller area. Planning Staff would suggest storing items on a Class V surface instead of grass or dirt to comply with what the Council has required of other businesses. For functionality of being able to get to all of the items easily, having the storage more spread out but neatly stacked probably makes more sense for the different uses at the Public Works facility. Paving is the other big issue that has not to date been addressed. Under the current standards for E-2, the site would be required to have asphalt pavement and concrete curb and gutter. Any deviation from that requirement would require going through the site plan process and approval by the City Council. In the past, Council has allowed deviation from the paving requirement for frequent maneuvering of heavy equipment on parcels zoned E-1 or E-2. The alternative surface in that instance was Class V. The area surrounding the salt shed may qualify under these same circumstances.