Minutes - Planning Commission - 05/02/2000

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parcel he owns to the west. Since that time he has been using the building for commercial purposes. Mr. Menard now wants to sell the property with the pole building on it. City Code states that no accessory structure shall be built without the presence of a principal structure (dwelling) on the property. The property owner (of both parcels) has been operating his non- conforming structural steel and commercial ' fencing business for the past 15 years in the non- conforming accessory building. Mr. Menard is proposing to relocate his business to his homestead parcel and sell the non-conforming accessory structure to Mr. Barrett. Mr. Barrett would like to relocate his current woodworking business from Cambridge to this building in Ramsey. Mr. Barrett would like to construct future additions including a 1,000 square foot showroom/office, another 5,000 square foot shop area, and possibly several self-service storage units. The facility would also include customer and employee parking that is proposed to be absent of bituminous pavement. The business would be accessed through an existing dirt driveway offof 181st Avenue (County. Road #22). The hours of operation proposed are 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mr. Barrett currently has three employees and would like to expand to as many as ten. Approximately 3 times per week truck, deliveries would occur on the subject property. The Building Inspector has stated that at a minimum the structure will need to have a ventilation system, a sanitation facility for each sex, and a fire wall or sprinkler system. City Staff recommends approval contingent on restrictions placed on hours of operation, number of employees, site improvements, and no future expansions of buildings and uses. Citizen Input Sharon Zagaros, 9031 178~ Avenue, stated her property backs up to this property. She also speaks for her husband, and two neighbors who were unable to attend the meeting, James and Linda Berar, 8901 178th Avenue. She stated they have issues she would like answered prior to any building being done. First, the expansion does worry her when they are doubling what is already there and adding future buildings. They are looking at additional usage on the dirt road, an additional parking lot, and additional truck traffic to bring in goods. The woodworking 'shop sounds like a thriving business. She stated she is looking for guidelines to be set prior to anything going on. This parcel butts up to a natural wetland, and most of their houses have windows that face this scenic view where they see natural wildlife. She would like to see an environmental study looking at the environmental impacts of the additional building on the site. If they are talking a business with toxins, such as stains and paints they need to address that issue. They need to address the traffic and ultimate land use issue as far as how it will impact the wildlife and the wetlands. She would hope that hours of operation would be enforced. She stated a dirt road and parking lot will kick up a lot of dust if there is a lot of traffic. She stated they stand here not in opposition, just in question. Mr. Menard did call her on Saturday morning to ask what her questions were and she had not formulated all of them. He did say this is for the long run, however, this is their retirement home and they are in it for the long run too. They realize this is a commercial site, however, it is currently low use and they would hate to see it turn into heavy industry. Community Development Director Frolik clarified this Conditional Use Permit application is not to increase the size of the building; it would be for the current size. It is not for other uses and Planning Commission/May 2, 2000 Page 3 of 23