Agenda - Council - 03/23/1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE PART A: REQUEST FOR EXCEPTION TO THE MORATORIUM AND DISCUSSION ON POLICY REGARDING URBAN SERVICES By: Cindy Sherman, Community Development Director Background: Rick Burnham is seeking site plan review to develop a 12,960 square foot office/warehouse building on Armstrong Boulevard (CSAH 83). The development is proposed on Lot 1, Block 1, HY-10 Ramsey 2nd Addition. A detailed discussion of the site plan is attached as Part B to this report. Observations: The application is located within the moratorium area west of Armstrong Blvd. The land use on the property had been discussed as a potential location for transitional residential. However, following further evaluation it was determined that the wetland to the north of the site provided a good buffer to the residential use to the north and that this parcel should be designated as places to work which is consistent with the present zoning. A related issue to the comprehensive planning process is the policy regarding the availability of urban services to sites prior to development. Brad Scheib of Hoisington Koegler Group, the City's consulting planner, wrote a letter of review regarding a similar site situation in the area (Attached). We did not have him prepare a report for this site since the issues are similar. As pointed out in Mr. Scheib's report the issues for the City to consider go beyond urban services and include long-term impacts on the area prior to conclusion of the comprehensive plan and related ordinances. Staff believes that the site plan for C. R. Concrete is of a design and layout that would be allowed in our urban service area. They are proposing to clean up an existing site and construct a building with quality industrial architecture and paved parking with concrete curb and gutter. While the building is small for the site the owner does have plans to expand the building and the site gives them room to grow. The are not requesting exterior storage and any future requests to do so would require action by the City. Since the site is designated for places to work staff believes that this is an appropriate use. A Development Permit is attached which the applicant would be required to execute that requires them to hook up to City services within 2 years of them becoming available. The staging plan calls for urban services in 2005-2010, this is a general date for extension of services, and it is not a schedule for installation. With the site plan as proposed and if the applicant is willing to sign the agreement committing to hooking up to public utilities then staff believes an exception to the moratorium should be granted.