Agenda - Planning Commission - 12/01/2011

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Regular Planning Commission 6. 1. Meeting Date: 12/01/2011 By: Tim Gladhill, Community Development Title: PUBLIC HEARING: Request for a Home Occupation Permit to Operate a Youth Horse Ranch at 7202 181 st Ave NW; Case of Robin Veach Fitzgerald (Second Chance Youth Ranch) Background: The City has received an application from Robin Veach Fitzgerald for a Home Occupation Permit to operate a youth horse ranch at 7202 181 st Ave NW. Because of the transaction with the public/customers and level of traffic anticipated to be generated, City Code requires the application to be reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council following the procedures for reviewing a conditional use permit. Notification: In accordance with State Statute and City Code, Staff attempted to notify all property owners within 350 of the Subject Property of the Public Hearing via Standard US Mail. A Notice of Public Hearing was published in the Anoka County Union. Observations: Second Chance Youth Ranch is a proposed horse ranch geared towards children that would operate on a single-family parcel located at 7202 181st Ave NW. Activities offered in the program include service chores, arts and crafts, outdoor games (horseshoes, bean bag toss, etc.), building projects (dog houses, picnic tables, etc.), horse grooming, handling, and riding. Additional background information on the proposed use can be found at www.2ndchancevouthranch.org In addition, according to the Applicant, the proposed use is modeled after the Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, with background at www.crvstalpeaksvouthranch.org. Please note that the details of the Crystal Peak Youth Ranch are intended as background information only, and is not the specific business model for the proposed use. The Applicant anticipates approximately six (6) to eight (8) attendees of the program at any one given time, with one (1) volunteer per attendee assisting. The Applicant would keep six (6) horses on the Subject Property. The Applicant anticipates an additional five (5) volunteers for general assistance. Total persons on the Subject Property related to the home occupation would be approximately 20. The Applicant anticipates peak traffic at approximately fifteen (15) vehicle trips per day, which would occur one (1) to two (2) days per week. The Applicant is in the process of completing a detached accessory structure on the Subject Property. The structure would be used for equipment related to the operation of the horse ranch such as feed, track, equipment, and tractors. Prior to being reviewed by City Council (tentatively scheduled for December 13), Staff has asked that the Applicant provide a sketch of the Subject Property that indicates locations of structures, fencing/pasture areas, and location of manure storage areas. This is a requirement of City Code. The site plan shall also indicate locations of off-street parking areas, which shall be appropriately surfaced per City Code. Funding Source: All costs associated with processing the Application are the responsibility of the Applicant. Staff Recommendation: