Agenda - Planning Commission - 12/01/2022

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Regular Planning Commission 6. 1. Meeting Date: 12/01/2022 By: Brian McCann, Community Development Information Title: PUBLIC HEARING: Consider a Home Occupation Permit for Sewer Works at 17725 Nowthen Blvd NW Purpose/Background: The City received an application from Russell Peterson (the "Applicant") for a Home Occupation Permit for a septic maintenance business called Sewer Works at 17725 Nowthen Blvd NW (the "Subject Property"). The business has operated from the property since 1973, but has not been required to obtain a Home Occupation Permit until now. The Applicant is expanding the business with a second pumper truck on the property which they plan to continue to store outside, and necessitates a Level II Home Occupation Permit because of the increase in use of vehicles. Notification: The City attempted to send a mailing via Standard US Mail to property owners within 350 feet of the Subject Property, as noted in the Anoka County Property Records, notifying them of the public hearing. The notice was also published in the Anoka County UnionHerald Observations/Alternatives: Subject Property The Subject Property is zoned R-1 (Rural Developing) Residential, and is guided Rural Developing in the City's 2040 Comprehensive Plan. It is 1.56 acres in size, with steep elevations on the western half of the property where the dwelling and accessory structure are located. The property accesses Nowthen Blvd to the west with a driveway consisting of unimproved surfacing. A Variance to the front setback was approved in 2009 for a 35' x 28' accessory structure, that was proposed to be utilized for personal storage. Surrounding properties are similar in size and also zoned and guided Rural Developing. Summary Sewer Works first started operations in 1973 at the Subject Property and has continued operations for the last 49 years. The business will mainly consist of storage of materials and vehicles. The Applicant has stated they have one helper that will come to the site and leave with him in the morning, and they anticipate leaving at 7:00 am, and returning at 5:00 pm from Monday through Friday. When the Applicant plans to retire, the business will be continued by his son at an alternate location outside of Ramsey. The Applicant is requesting to store one (1) of two (2) pumpers outside, and the other will be stored inside the accessory structure. This requires the Level II HOP due to an increase in use related to additional commercial vehicles and outdoor storage. Additional Considerations The request for a Home Occupation Permit was code enforcement initiated, after a complaint was received in March of 2022 regarding a semi -trailer visible from Nowthen Blvd. The complaint was verified and a letter was sent to the property owner. Over the last few months, the Applicant has stated that the semi -trailer was not used for storage of business items but was instead used for beekeeping, protection from potential crashes on Nowthen Blvd, and other various uses not related to the business. It has been determined that the semi -trailer is indeed being used for storage related to the home occupation, and is storing materials such as risers, tank lids, pumps, lime, etc. The existing accessory structure does not have space inside with a pumper truck, a large steamer, and other business materials. In the approving resolution, Staff proposes a condition of approval to remove the semi -trailer. Within the last few weeks, City Staff were informed of a potential second business at the property. Berres Excavating is listed under the Minnesota business filings with an office located at that address. The Applicant's