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therefore did not think there would be a problem with using the potential of the property. He <br />commented that he would like to work with the City to find a solution to what he has found out <br />could be a problem. He stated that he would be happy to comply with whatever rules are necessary. <br />He commented that last spring he received a complaint related to outdoor storage and he worked <br />with staff to bring the site into compliance. He stated that at that time he told staff he did not have <br />a business running on his property but did have a business in Elk River that he would like to <br />transition over and was not told it would be a problem. <br />Chairperson Bauer commented that once a Home Occupation Permit is obtained, a business could <br />be operated from the property. He explained that the Commission would need to review what is <br />being done currently and what he would like to do on the property. He asked for clarification on <br />what is being done in Elk River, what is being done on the property currently, and what he would <br />like to do on the property in Ramsey in the future. <br /> <br />Mr. Hillman replied that they take corrugated sheets of cardboard and cut them to a certain size, <br />putting slots into the cardboard. He stated that a person them assembles the material into dividers <br />that are used in different boxes, such as the dividers in beer boxes. He stated that there is a small <br />box machine that makes boxes that are then hand glued together. He commented that <br />manufacturing activity occurs in Elk River. He stated that he is storing some of the overflow raw <br />products at his property in Ramsey. He explained that he has been forced to purchase larger lots <br />of the raw materials because of impacts from COVID. <br /> <br />Chairperson Bauer commented that the manufacturing portion of the business occurs in Elk River <br />and the storage of materials occurs in Ramsey. He asked if there would be intent to combine the <br />functions. <br /> <br />Mr. Hillman commented that eventually he would like to bring the manufacturing component to <br />his property in Ramsey as well. He stated that he currently has one full-time employee and one <br />part-time employee. He commented that he does have personal items stored within the building <br />as well and therefore would not foresee using that 100 percent for his business. He stated that he <br />was advised to request a continuance to continue working with staff but would prefer to hash it out <br />with the Commission if possible. He stated that this would be the next steppingstone in his <br />business plan and if the business were to continue to grow past the capacity of the property, he <br />could then look at commercial property. He noted that his business is not yet that profitable to <br />support that step, which is why he is before the Commission tonight. He noted that there are other <br />businesses near his home and his business would not generate a lot of noise. <br />Commissioner Gengler asked if the applicant’s property in Elk River is also a residential property. <br />Mr. Hillman confirmed that the Elk River property is also residential. <br />Commissioner Walker asked for information about the items that are sitting outside. <br />Mr. Hillman replied that one of the first complaints he received for the property was related to <br />outdoor storage. He stated that his father in-law had a farm in Wisconsin and when that property <br />was sold, he allowed him to store some items on his property until he found another property. He <br />Planning Commission/April 28, 2022 <br />Page 4 of 20 <br /> <br />