Minutes - Council - 04/25/2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Case #4: Request for an Interim Use Permit to Allow for the Operation of a Church in the E-1 Employment District; Case of Ramsey Assembly of God Community Development Director Trudgeon stated the City has received an application for an interim use permit for the Ramsey Assembly of God to allow for the operation of a temporary church facility in an area zoned E-1 Employment District. The temporary church facility will be in a multi-tenant building located in the Oakridge Industrial Park. The applicant is proposing to remodel the warehouse to have a worship area as well as use the current offices for administrative offices of the church. Mr. Trudgeon explained the E-1 Employment Zoning District does not expressly permit churches or other places of worship. The E-1 Employment Zoning District does allow for offices as a permitted use. Staff has reviewed the use and finds that it is compatible with the surrounding area. Mr. Trudgeon explained under City Code, places of assembly require a parking space for every three seats. The applicant stated that the seating capacity within the church would be able to hold 156 people, which would require 52 parking spaces. The parking lot that serves the building in which the temporary church will be located has 28 parking stalls and the applicant has verbally received permission from RDTM Properties, which is located south of the site, to use their parking lot of 28 parking stalls on evenings and weekends. These two parking lots provide 56 parking stalls on evenings and weekends for the applicant's use, which should limit the parking on Sunfish Lake Court as not to impede traffic flow. It should also be noted that the applicant stated that the current congregation is at 45 worshippers. From the information available, staffbelieves that there is adequate parking for the proposed temporary church. Community Development Director Trudgeon stated the remodeling work will be done in the interior of the building. A building permit will need to be granted by the City prior to commencement of the work. He advised the Planning Commission and staff recommend approval of the interim use permit request by the Ramsey Assembly of God to allow for the operation of temporary church facility in an area zoned E-1 Employment District be granted for a term of three years. Mayor Gamec inquired about parking on Sunfish Lake Boulevard. Community Development Director Trudgeon replied Sunfish Lake Boulevard is not currently signed. In the past there has been a requirement to request the County post No Parking signs. Mayor Gamec stressed the importance of Sunfish Lake Boulevard being designated No Parking. Councilmember Cook inquired if the plan of the applicant is to eventually settle in Ramsey as a permanent location. Community Development Director Tmdgeon replied that is correct from what has been indicated to him. Councilmember Olson inquired about the timeframe of the interim use permit, which is for three years instead of the maximum of five years. City Council / April 25, 2006 Page 8 of 23