Minutes - Council - 05/10/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Woestehoff pointed out that during the Planning Commission meeting the vote was three to four, and then four to three in terms of the process between what the request was and then to the change of only having warehousing. He stated it had come to the Commission originally as a Staff's recommendation for denial. He stated it was a tentative case to begin with and more information may still be needed. Mayor Pro Tem Riley asked the applicant to speak first, followed by others wishing to speak. Jeff Hillman, the applicant, 6131 Green Valley Road, stated what he heard tonight was new for him. He stated he is willing to work with the City but expressed concern over the extra cost if the building needs to be considered commercial which would have several requirements that he didn't feel would be feasible. He stated he is a small business seeking a HOP. He stated it is being pushed into commercial and asked if the lot needed to be rezoned as commercial. Councilmember Musgrove stated she appreciated the applicant's presentation. She asked Mr. Hillman if there was anything he wanted to share about his business or if he felt it would be wiser to determine what information the Staff had. Mr. Hillman replied he is willing to provide more information, noting it isn't a huge company. He stated they are still operating out of Elk River out of his property. He stated he brought samples in and had sent information explaining his business. He stated if he is required to meet commercial codes, he should be able to operate as a commercial business. Mayor Pro Tem Riley replied if it is tabled, Mr. Hillman will be invited back and continue the conversation. Kelly Schmidt, 6000 177 h Lane, stated along that stretch there are three families with husbands that work night shifts and need to sleep during the day. She asked Council to help the neighbors understand about the HOP because they are asked to bring concerns with documentation but felt unheard by the Planning Commission. She stated there is a family with autistic children that live close to this property. She stated Green Valley Road needs maintenance repairs. She recommended a road study be done. She expressed concern with on going noise, not having a buffer, risk of fire danger, and big machinery, semi-trucks, and large water storage tanks on the property. She felt the business was too large for an HOP. She stated she moved into a neighborhood and didn't feel she had rights in having a commercial business next door. Brian Heigl, 17826 Potassium Street NW, stated HOPS are good and provide small businesses to get started and grow into a larger business. Then, when a business grows too big for a home it goes into a commercial property. He stated in this case there is a large business that wants to go into a home setting which he opposed. He stated there is a 15,000 square foot building, the same as about four to six homes, too big to be put into a residential area. He stated the Planning Commission indicated this business has been operating in Elk River without an HOP and questioned why the applicants would follow the rules in Ramsey if they hadn't been in Elk River. He stated there are several semitrucks and other big equipment on the property even though they are currently in violation of code. He expressed concern with run off from the business going down the hill into the river and bog, and with the potential for an increase in traffic accidents. City Council/May 10, 2022 Page 10 of 18