Minutes - Planning Commission - 01/09/2014

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City Planner Anderson presented the staff report stating the City received a request from Total Defense, Inc. to allow an indoor shooting range at 6001 167 Avenue NW, requiring an amendment to City Code Section 117 -114 entitled B -1 General Business District. He reviewed the definition of indoor commercial recreation in detail with the Commission. Based on the feedback and input gathered from the public, Staff recommended approval of Ordinance #14-01 amending Section 117 -114 (B -1 General Business) to include Indoor Commercial Recreation as a Conditional Use and creating Section 117 -363 establishing performance standards for Indoor Shooting Ranges. Citizen Input Commissioner Bauer questioned how an overlay district could be used for this request. City Planner Anderson stated an overlay district would require a code amendment and would require similar zoning standards. He reviewed the location of several current overlay districts in the City. He explained the complexity of the request led staff to not go this route, but instead to have indoor commercial recreation a conditional use in the B -1 zoning district and establishing performance standards. This would ensure the use was reviewed on a case by case basis. Commissioner Bauer wanted to see an overlay district for this request, instead of offering indoor recreation city -wide for the B -1 zoning district. Police Chief Way addressed safety and security concerns based on the proposed request. He discussed how guns would be brought to and from the site. He was confident that the applicant would run an upstanding business. Deb Peterson, 17252 Potassium Street, was curious to learn what could be located in this retail node. She wanted to see the area thriving again and supported the indoor shooting range. Marty Fisher, Premier Commercial Properties, explained he was the real estate broker representing the proposed property. It was his opinion that the retail area at 167 would be a great fit for the proposed indoor recreation use. Dan Wellman, 27425 131' Street, Total Defense, Inc., indicated he currently had a business in Ramsey located in the Rivers Bend Plaza. This business has been in operation for the past three years, sells firearms, and offers conceal and carry courses, along with self - defense classes. He explained the new location would allow his business to expand by offering his clients the use of an indoor shooting range. He discussed the safety precautions that would be taken to ensure the integrity of the range. He then reviewed the certifications he has received from the Minnesota BCA. Commissioner Bauer asked if another location had been considered for the proposed use. Planning Commission /January 9, 2014 Page 3 of 12