Minutes - Council - 02/25/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Gerry Bauer stated that he owns 155 acres and Able Paving would be using 40 acres. He questioned why he should be paying commercial and industrial taxes on the property if it cannot be used for commercial or industrial type businesses. Wes King, Able Paving, explained that he does very little maintenance on the site and that primarily the site is used to store his vehicles. The trucks typically leave the site at 7:00 a.m. and return between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. The trucks do move slowly, but the only traffic is when they leave in the morning and return in the evening. He currently does a lot of business within the City of Ramsey, which makes the site a convenient location. He stated that Able Paving is an up and coming business and they would appreciate being able to keep their trucks on the property for a couple of years. Upon inquiry, Mr. King explained that they do run two to three dump trucks in the winter months and they do keep oil and transmission fluid inside the building on a concrete floor for the trucks. Councihnember Pearson stated that over the years Mr. Bauer has owned the gun club he has willingly reduced activity on the property because of neighborhood complaints. Mr. Bauer noted that he actually shut down a portion of the facility and is looking for a way to make up for the lost revenue by closing a portion of the gun club. Councihnember Pearson pointed out that decreasing someone's ability to use their land increases the chance of development. Councilmember Cook inquired if the trucks were screened from public view and Mr. King replied that a person would have to drive onto the property to see the trucks. Councihnember Kurak inquired as to how long Mr. King has been operating on the property and Mr. King replied two years. Councilmember Kurak inquired if in two years this was the first complaint and Mr. Bauer confirn~ed that it was. Councilmember Kurak stated that she could understand Mr. Bauer's frustration with being required to pay commercial and industrial taxes on his property and then not being able to utilize it for those purposes. Ms. Frolik noted that the zoning is residential; Anoka County taxes property on how it is used, regardless of its zoning. City Attorney Goodrich stated that if the Council is inclined to approve the interim use permit the Council should direct staff to draft the appropriate findings of fact and a permit and table any immediate action. Motion by Councilmember Cook, seconded by Councilmember Kurak, to table action and direct staff to create findings of fact in the affirmative and a proposed permit. City Council/February 25, 2003 Page 6 of 18