Agenda - Council - 02/12/2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CC Regular Session Meeting Date: 02/12/2013 By: Chris Anderson, Community Development Information Title: Confirm Direction from Planning Commission on Proposed Land Use at the 167th Ave Retail Node 4. 9. Background: As the City Council is aware, the retail node at 167th Ave and St. Francis Blvd has been struggling for some time now (pre -dating the recession), continues to experience high vacancy rates, and concerns have also been raised regarding property maintenance as well. Recently, two different parties approached City Staff with separate proposals for the former Supervalu site. Neither proposal fully met the standards of the B-1 General Business District and therefore, Staff brought each forward for review, consideration and direction from the Planning Commission at their January 31, 2013 meeting. The case that was prepared for the Planning Commission is attached for background information and more specific details. Notification: As this case is to confirm direction of the Planning Commission, notification is not required. However, notification will be provided in accordance with Minnesota Statute and Ramsey City Code for any Zoning Amendment(s) that is drafted. In addition, Staff has recommended some sort of public open house to meet with adjacent property owners if Staff receives an application for Zoning Amendment or is directed to begin an Ordinance Amendment Process. A public process will be important to identify potential concerns and has the benefit of open communication between the prospective user and neighbors, which may help answer questions or concerns early in the process. Observations: The two proposals that were reviewed and discussed by the Planning Commission were an indoor shooting range and a recycling/warehousing operation. Following is a brief summary of each: Proposal 1 Total Defense, a current Ramsey business (14031 St. Francis Blvd), is proposing to relocate its current operation to the subject property. The current location has the same underlying zoning as the proposed location (it is within a PUD). Total Defense currently operates a retail store, gunsmithing (repair), and provides self-defense training courses. Total Defense is proposing a similar operation in the proposed location with the addition of an indoor shooting range. The applicant has provided detailed information on their business, training courses and preliminary floor plan. The retail portion will serve as the primary space while the indoor shooting range (one bay with eleven [11] lanes) and training areas will occupy about equal square footage. The indoor shooting range component does not comply with the current permitted or conditional uses in the B-1 General Business District. Proposal 2 Triangle Recycling, presently operating in the city ofNowthen, is proposing to relocate its operation to the subject property. The business recycles clothing through a network of clothing collection boxes strategically placed throughout the state. Clothing is collected from the boxes by a fleet of trucks and would be brought back to this site for baling and transport to end markets. The applicant has expressed an interest in expanding the recycling program to accept electronics, small metals, mattresses, and plastics, which would be implemented as Phase II of its operation.