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Councilmember Willmus recognized the historical use of some of those sites, and took into <br /> account Councilmember Pust's comments regarding a community process undertaken to <br /> change or re-guide properties. Councilmember Willmus stated that he would be open to <br /> looking at some sort of change or addition, but wasn't sure he wanted to bring retail uses <br /> into the mix in this fashion. <br /> At the request of Mayor Roe for clarification regarding "retail mixes," Councilmember <br /> Willmus advised that he wasn't sure that Regional Business centers, as they currently <br /> exited, should be open to light manufacturing uses. <br /> Councilmember Pust noted that, by not taking the requested action, it didn't preclude <br /> existing, non-conforming uses from continuing. <br /> Mr. Paschke clarified that this created a problem within the overall umbrella of non- <br /> conformities or uses. <br /> Councilmember McGehee concurred with the comments expressed by Councilmembers Pust <br /> and Willmus; as well as stated a further personal issue with attempting to match the <br /> Comprehensive Plan to the Zoning Code versus the way it was supposed to occur, with the <br /> Zoning Code brought into alignment with the Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember McGehee <br /> opined that such an action would change underlying zoning from the current situation, and <br /> further opined that the City got into trouble every time they attempted to do something like <br /> that. Councilmember McGehee noted that the City Council had been told that this type of <br /> vague terminology created trouble; and when staff was drafting proposed changes, they <br /> needed to be mindful of that. Councilmember McGehee opined that she saw no reason to <br /> grant this request; noting the recent Wal-Mart development as an example of problems with <br /> wording. Councilmember McGehee further noted an ongoing issue with trailers and other <br /> items parked in residential yards, yet never brought forward by staff for resolution. <br /> Mr. Paschke reiterated that this was an existing definition within the current zoning code; <br /> and clarified that staff's goal was to apply that definition to the Regional Business zoning <br /> district. <br /> Councilmember Johnson questioned if this situation was requested due to a potential <br /> business coming into this area, where the use would not be allowed as it hadn't been <br /> grandfathered in as an existing, non-conforming use; to which Mr. Paschke responded in the <br /> negative. <br /> Mayor Roe emphasized that existing businesses, that were non-conforming uses, could <br /> continue; however, noted that they were limited as to the amount of change or growth they <br /> could achieve based on the footprint of their existing building. <br /> Mr. Paschke concurred that they were limited in how they could expand their building <br /> and/or uses within the building; noting that it became a huge issue for those current owners <br /> seeking to reinvest in existing buildings. <br /> Councilmember Pust suggested moving forward on a case by case basis; to which Mr. <br /> Paschke noted that this would not be an option, since the City could not grant variances for <br /> a use, and it would therefore make it difficult to consider requests on a case by case basis. <br /> Councilmember Pust suggested that, since an actual application was not currently before <br /> the City Council on which to base their discussion and consider a specific example, any <br /> action be deferred until a better context was available in which to frame this discussion and <br /> decision-making. <br /> 2 <br />