Agenda - Planning Commission - 11/07/2013

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Regular Planning Commission 5. 1. Meeting Date: 11/07/2013 By: Chris Anderson, Community Development Information Title: PUBLIC HEARING: Consider Request for Interim Use Permit to Allow Periodic Temporary Lodging Accommodations at the Property Located 14501 Nowthen Blvd NW: Case of Family Promise in Anoka County Purpose/Background: The City has received an application for an Interim Use Permit from Family Promise in Anoka County (FPAC) to allow periodic, temporary lodging accommodations at their day center, which is located on the Lord of Life Luthteran Church campus. The day center operates out of a secondary building on the property, which is addressed separately and is generally known as 14515 Nowthen Blvd NW. FPAC provides temporary shelter for children and their families through a network of partner chuches, which typically provide meals and lodging accommodations. Through FPAC's day center, program participants are able to shower, do laundry and conduct internet searches for both employment and housing. Notification: Staff attempted to notify all Property Owners within 350 feet of the Public Hearing. A Public Notice was also advertised in the Anoka Union. Observations/Alternatives: FPAC, through the Lord of Life Lutheran Church, initially approached the City in October/November of 2012 about utilizing a secondary building on the Lord of Life campus for their day center operation. FPAC stated that there would be no overnight stays at the day center. After researching the past use of the building, it was determined that counseling/support services had been offered there by Lord of Life Church. Those services had been moved into the principal building (the church) on the property to provide FPAC space for their operation. Based on the past use of the building, and typical accessory uses of churches, the City considered FPAC's day center operation to be substantially similar to the past use of the building, deeming it to be a lawful, non -conforming use. The church campus has multiple zonings including R-1 (MUSA) Residential, R-2 Residential and R-3 Residential. There are multiple buildings on the property including the church and this secondary building where FPAC currently operates. The FPAC building is located in the R-1 (MUSA) district while the church is in the R-2 Residential district. The property adjacent to the FPAC building to the south is the site of the Stoney River development, which is zoned R-3 Residential, and the properties across Nowthen Blvd from the FPAC building are zoned R-2 Residential. The overall size of the property is approximately thirty-five (35) acres. In March of 2013, FPAC had a 'gap' in their hosting schedule and thus, contacted the City requesting permission to provide overnight accommodations for a two (2) week period (last week of March and first week of April). This request was reviewed by City Staff and the City Attorney and it was approved on the condition that any future requests would not be considered without a more formal review process, such as applying for and obtaining an interim use permit. In September of 2013, FPAC had another 'gap' in their hosting schedule and again contacted the City seeking permission to provide overnight accommodations for four (4) families plus one (1) staff person for one week in early October. Based on past communications, that request was deferred by City Staff for further review and consideration. It should be noted that in both instances, FPAC was able to find alternative accommodations for their program participants.