Minutes - Planning Commission - 02/07/2019

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scale, neighborhood -scale commercial uses. The intent is not to allow higher intensity uses most commonly found along highway corridors. This district can be a valuable tool moving forward as the City attempts to accomplish comprehensive plan goals to provide a mix of uses focused on neighborhoods. For example, another potential area for this zoning district could be used would be near the new elementary school (not proposed at this time). Community Development Director Gladhill explained staff drafted a proposed zoning district which includes four permitted uses, four conditional uses and six prohibited uses. Following the feedback previous Planning Commission meetings, Staff has moved on -sale liquor to a conditional use and added the sales of tobacco, tobacco products or tobacco related devices to the prohibited uses. This case was also reviewed at a recent City Council Work Session. Citizen Input Jerry Petro, 6140 157' Lane NW, explained he lives just south of the subject property. He reported this property used to be a church and has since become a daycare and secretarial service. He questioned why the City was proposing to change this property from requiring a conditional use permit to becoming a Neighborhood Business District. He feared he would have a strip mall in his backyard in the near future. He questioned if the hours of operation for the Neighborhood Business District would be 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. He understood that alcohol and drive thru's would not be allowed on this property, however, he keeps seeing how the City changes their mind over the years. He expressed concern that he would have a McDonald's or a bar adjacent to his home that would be open till 2:00 a.m. He explained this property was not located on a major intersection but rather was located in a neighborhood. Chairperson Bauer requested comment from staff as to the history of the property and the requirements within the proposed Neighborhood Business District. Community Development Director Gladhill commented on the history of this property. He explained there was a unique use that was allowed through a Conditional Use Permit. He discussed how Minnesota State Statute and Court Case law had deemed it was necessary to list Conditional Uses within City Code, prior to issuing a permit. Therefore, moving forward, the City adjusted its tools and clarified Conditional Uses within City Code. He commented further on the additional protections that were set within the proposed Neighborhood Business District. He reported a strip mall could not locate on this property as only 35% of the lot could be covered with a building. Mr. Petro questioned how much of the lot was currently covered by a building. He anticipated that the value of this property would go up substantially after the property was rezoned. Community Development Director Gladhill stated the current building coverage was 20%. Jacqueline Abendroth, 15810 Sodium Street, explained she lived next door to the daycare and has been a resident of Ramsey since 1970. She expressed concern with the future businesses that Planning Commission/February 7, 2019 Page 4 of 18