Agenda - Council - 12/12/2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

6. 1. CC Regular Session Meeting Date: 12/12/2023 Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: Promote economic growth and development. Information Title: Public Hearing: Consider Zoning Map Amendment Along with a Site Plan and Minor Plat for Storyteller Cafe Located at 7790 Sunwood Drive NW(Project No. 23-118); Case of Stories Foundation Purpose/Background: The purpose of this case is to review a Site Plan and Minor Plat for a proposed mixed-use building to be located at the southeast corner of Sunwood Drive and Yolite Street(the "Subject Property"). Stories Foundation(the "Applicant") is seeking approval for a three(3) story building that will include restaurant and retail space on the first floor,three (3) apartments and office space on the second floor, and rooftop patio space on the third floor. Some of the City Council may recall this project, as it went through the approvals process in 2021; however, those approvals have since expired. The Zoning Code Update,which goes into effect on December 17, 2023, included adding the subdistricts of The COR to the official Zoning Map. Thus,the Subject Property will officially be zoned COR-2, which does not permit dwelling units, except for live-work units. The Planning Commission recommended amending the Zoning Map to rezone the Subject Property to COR-1,which allows not only the restaurant,retail, and office uses,but also allows dwelling units as well. The Storyteller Cafe will serve breakfast and lunch. The building will provide office space for the nonprofit company, Stories Foundation,which will operate the caf6. The Applicant currently employs three full-time staff and two contract employees. The Applicant would hire at least one more full-time manager and 2-3 part-time employees to run the caf6 and retail spaces. The Applicant's goal is to begin using the space to offer job training in year two of operation. Job training would be provided in a variety of industries and for vulnerable people and those who have been exploited. Notification: A public notice was sent to all property owners within 350 feet of the Subject Property to inform them of the request for Planning Commission review of the Site Plan and Minor Plat. Staff also attempted to notify property owners within 350 feet of the Subject Property, as reflected in the Anoka County Property Records, of the Public Hearing the City Council would conduct regarding the proposed Zoning Map Amendment.A notice of the Public Hearing was also published in the Anoka County UnionHerald, the City's official newspaperA "proposed development" sign was placed on the Subj ect Property. Time Frame/Observations/Alternatives: General Project Summary The Applicant is proposing a three (3) story building,with an approximate footprint of 6,900 square feet. This would be a mixed-use building, including retail,restaurant, and office space, as well as three apartments. The Subject Property is approximately 0.52 acres in size and just slightly over eighty(80) feet in width. Zoning and Guidance The Subj ect Property is currently zoned COR, and is located in the COR-2 subdistrict per the COR Design Framework. However, as previously noted, on December 17, 2023,the 'new' zoning map will go into effect and the Subj ect Property(and the property to the east, 7750 Sunwood Drive NW)will officially be zoned COR-2. The Subject Property is guided as Mixed-Use in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which allows a density of