Agenda - Council - 03/22/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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21 Mar, 2022 Dear City Council Members, Peace Keepers, Inc, a veteran-owned Ramsey business, is looking to move its business operations into a larger, more-secure location on the same property. Peace Keepers, Inc operates in accordance with all Bureau of Alcohol,Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regulations. The proposed permit I have applied for is in accordance with City of Ramsey code and regulations. As stated in the Planning Commission Meeting on 24 Feb, 2022, retail is legal on residential property and is currently happening at other home-businesses. Furthermore, a Home Occupation Permit allows for operations to be conducted on any portion of the addressed property, not solely restricted to the home or dwelling. The major reason I am here today is to move into a slightly larger space to conduct operations, providing a more suitable area for myself. The permit requires me to receive city approval to conduct operations in a space larger than 10%of my home's square footage; in this case, larger than 240 square feet. The operation I am requesting is under 350 square feet. The permit I am applying for allows up to 8 round-trip visits per day; I am requesting a maximum of 4,with one day every quarter allowing for 6 round trips to conduct the classroom portion of a Minnesota Permit to Carry class. These classes are classroom-only,with all firearms handling being completed at a designated shooting range such as Total Defense. The permit requested allows for exterior evidence of a business; I am not requesting any exterior evidence. I have recently completed a business plan with the Ramsey planning department and have taken many neighbor's concerns into account when writing the plan. These concerns include limiting my hours of operations, limiting my days of operations, limiting the amounts of additional traffic, ensuring all items are cased upon exiting the building, the safety of my neighbors and their children and more. I have taken all of these concerns into great consideration and have shown such in my business plan. Peace Keepers, Inc is not looking to conduct business to the point of re-zoning the property. I am not requesting open hours of operations; I am requesting by-appointment only. My address is intentionally not listed on my Facebook page, it only shows Ramsey, MN. I do not have signage displayed to indicate there is a business operating on this property. I look to respect the privacy of my neighbors. Within the city of Ramsey,there are 7 other home-based Federal Firearms Licensees(FFL). I am not requesting to do anything these businesses do not already do. I am in fact requesting to do less than these businesses do. It's simple to see the city has a proven history of allowing such businesses to conduct the activities which I am applying to do. Of these additional home-based FFL's,4 hold manufacturers of firearms licenses,which allow them to not only sell firearms, but also manufacture them. Additionally,these businesses are allowed to transfer firearms to and from individuals and perform gunsmithing activities. Peace Keepers, Inc has a history of proven safety. I hold certifications in firearms training from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the United States Army. I have been certified through the state of Minnesota to conduct hunter's safety courses. I have worked and assisted people just old enough to hunt, senior citizens and ages everywhere in between. I further have extensive certifications in ammunition handling and safety. Peace Keepers, Inc has gone above and beyond all legal safe-keeping of firearms, including 24/7 video surveillance of all firearms, automatic-