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February 13, 2001 <br /> <br />Planning and Zoning Workshop Meeting Minutes <br /> <br />Discussion ensued regarding affordable storage, competition, amount of these same <br />facilities located in the Industrial area, building and facility size requirements, tax base, <br />job creation, etc. Commission Member DeVine stated that he felt the facility needed to <br />be valued equivalent to an existing or proposed industrial building or be prepared to be <br />taxed in the same manner. Mr. March stated that this could be accomplished by creating <br />requirements for building a facility of this nature. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued in regards to granting a Conditional Use Permit for mini-storage <br />facilities. Mr. March stated that staff polled four (4) local communities as to their <br />requirements for mini-storage facilities and referred to the City of Blaine, which has five <br />(5) to six (6) mini-storage facilities in existence, with an additional two (2) under <br />construction. Mr. March explained that the City of Blaine had no specific requirements <br />other than a Conditional Use Permit, which surprised him due to the size of the city. Mr. <br />March stated that the City of Hugo requires a minimum of a two (2) acre parcel for a <br />mini-storage facility, it must be used for “dead storage” only, and limits the operation of <br />a commercial business out of the building. In addition, requires a Conditional Use <br />Permit, no storage of flammable materials (state law), no exterior storage, all doors and <br />units facing inward away from streets and property lines, and only one (1) entrance and <br />exit for the general public. Mr. March stated that the City may require items in regards to <br />security cameras, rod iron fencing, masonry fencing and pillars with rod iron in between. <br />The City may site security reasons such as the number of valuables stored in facilities of <br />this type along with emergency personnel considerations. <br /> <br />Commissioner DeVine questioned whether a requirement could be placed on a mini- <br />storage facility that would require an on site manager at all times. Mr. March stated that <br />the City could require a business office and an on site manager during regular business <br />hours. Mr. March stated that floor drains would be a requirement if the storage facility <br />were indoors. Mr. March stated the builder he had spoken to, explained that the facility <br />would have a large overhead door by which the customer would drive in and the door <br />would close behind them. The interior would be heated and the customer would unload <br />their storage items onto a dolly similar to that of Home Depot. The dolly would then be <br />moved, by the customer, to a freight/cargo elevator or directly to their storage unit. The <br />exterior of the building would appear to be a decorative block warehouse with heated <br />storage. Mr. March stated that a sprinkler system would be a requirement for the interior <br />of the building. Mr. March stated that a number of cities have not adopted the more <br />restrictive fire code similar to the City. <br /> <br />Commissioner Brainard requested that Staff research just how restrictive the City could <br />be with regards to its requirements. Discussion ensued on placing a requirement similar <br />to that contained in an Adult Oriented Establishments ordinance with respect to <br />businesses operating within a set distance of each other. Mr. March stated that if the <br />requirements were so restrictive that it had to have items that were unreasonable and no <br />regular business would comply with due to it being cost prohibitive, it too could be <br />challenged. Mr. March stated that other communities, such as Shoreview, have pretty <br />strict requirements. <br /> <br />Mr. March stated that the City of Circle Pines allows mini-storages under a Conditional <br />Use Permit. Mr. March stated that currently the City does not have Conditional Use <br />Page 2 of 4 <br /> <br />