CCP 09-13-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 1,1999 T 4 . Mr. Borg could not understand the reason behind rezoning the Baptist Council and Library site, e unless either of the properties were going to be sold. There would be uses allowed in the proposed Neighborhood Business District that the neighborhood would find objectionable. Ms. Betty Schotour stated she lives in the townhouses on the south side of Highway 96. She understood that the old City Hall site was zoned B-1 and it was her belief that this property must be difficult to develop as nothing has been proposed since she moved into her townhouse. Her concern with the change of zoning was the change in setback from 100 feet to 30 feet which would be problematic for some townhouse owners. Behind her home is a nice stand of trees and she wondered if the Planning Commission had considered the possibility of these trees being removed if the property were rezoned. Chair Erickson closed the public hearing at 7:55 p.m., as no one else wished to address the Planning Commission. In terms of the actual rezoning process, Chair Erickson asked staff if the City would undertake this as a next step, or would the rezoning occur as proposals came forward for the identified parcels. Ms. Randall stated that the rezoning could be accomplished either way. It was her understanding that these parcels will be reviewed; however, she did not believe that all seven sites would be considered at the same time. Any recommendation would be presented at a public hearing to the Planning Commission and forwarded to the City Council. At that time the City will have a definite ordinance with specific parameters. It has not been determined that any of a the seven sites will definitely be rezoned, they have only been identified as sites that could _ possibly be more appropriate as Neighborhood Business. Chair Erickson stated that any proposals on any of the seven sites would need to follow the Comprehensive Plan and be zoned to match the designation in the Comprehensive Plan. He stated that good comments had been received this evening that will be followed up on. He indicated that the primary reason for moving forward with the new Zoning District was to address certain parcels that had zoning restrictions which made it nearly impossible to improve. With regard to the concerns of Mr. Lindemer, Chair Erickson stated that there would not be action against any established parcels if they were rezoned and did not conform to the new zoning. The only issues that the new zoning would address would be in the event that an existing business proposed to expand. He asked if the proposed ordnance had mechanisms built in to allow the special review of existing conditions. Ms. Randall stated that an existing business would be reviewed if the owner proposed an expansion. This review would be under the current ordinance and would not be required to remove or change any existing conditions. If the exiting building location caused a problem, there may be a hardship for a variance. There have been other cases where Zoning Ordinance setback requirements have been changed and the City has allowed some variances due to these changes in the Zoning Ordinance. Chair Erickson noted that Subsection 3, a, restricted restaurants to 3,000 gross square feet. He asked how this would effect the Big 10 Supper Club and Lindey's Restaurant which are both over 3,000 gross square feet. Ms. Randall stated that these businesses would be considered non- conforming uses; however, they could continue with their current practices. e