6.7. & 6.8. SR 11-17-1997~ .y of
iver
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
MEMORANDUM
Item# 6.75. 6.8.
Mayor and City Council
Scott Harlicker, Planning AssistantS~
November 11, 1997
SUBJECT:
Request by City of Elk River for
Ordinance Amendment Regarding
Uses in the C-1 and C-2 Zoning
Districts, Public Hearing Case No.
OA 97-11
Request
Consider an amendment to the zoning cOde that would eliminate multi-
family dwellings, townhouses and two family dwellings as allowed uses in the
C-2 (Office District) and townhouses, Single' family and tWo family dwellings
as allowed uses in the C-1 (Central Commercial) district.
Attachments
Ordinance 97-
Current list of allOWed Uses in the 'C-1 and C-2 districts
Zoning map showing C-1 and C'2 "distriCts
Overview
Currently multi-family housing, townhouses and two family dwellings are
allowed in the R-2b (Townhouse and Multi-family) district, R-3 (Townhouse
and Multi-family) district and R-4 (Multi-family) district. Residential
development is ~alsO allowed in the C-1 (Central Commercial) district and C-2
(Office District) according to R-4 standards
Residential dWellings at R-4 standards are currently allowed in the C-1 and
C-2 districts as conditional uses. Residential development at R-4 standards
includes single family and two family dwellings, townhouses at 12 units per
structure and multi-family dwellings with no limit on the number of units
per structure. The C-2 (Office District) is intended to, "buffer residential
districts from arterial streets or from comnXercial districts and to provide a
district Which is compatible' with and may reasonably adjoin residential
districts". By allowing residential development at R-4 standards, as the
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
Memo to the Mayor and City Council]OA 97-11
November 17, 1997
Page 2
interest in multi-family housing increases, it will be difficult to maintain the
integrity and intent of the C-2 district. Within the existing C-2 district there
are 27 single family homes. It is suggested that single family homes remain a
conditional use. They are currently included under the "residential dwellings
at R-4 standards". If the homes were to become non-conforming, home owners
would have a difficult time getting approval for home improvement loans or
any refinancing because as a non-conforming use the homes could not be
rebuilt if damaged by more than 50%.
The C-1 (Central Commercial) district was established for retail, service, and
commercial uses with an emphasis placed on pedestrian access and design
standards. Uses should be designed to eliminate any nuisance or
incompatibility with surrounding uses. The same concerns and issues that
apply to the C-2 district area also relevant to the C-1 district. However, in
order to allow an opportunity for residential presence downtown, it was
decided to recommend multi-family dwellings be allowed as a mixed use,
providing business or commercial uses occupy the ground floor below the
residential use, within the C-1 district. Apartments and condominiums are
both considered multiple-family dwellings for the purpose of the zoning
ordinance. This would allow development in which apartments could be
located above an office or retail space. It would help keep the small town
character and maintain a pedestrian presence downtown. A mixed use of
apartments and offices or retail would also allow for shared parking, the
offices and retail could use the parking during the day and the residents of
the apartments at night.
Planning Commission Meeting
This amendment was first presented to the Planning Commission on August
26th. There was no comments at the public hearing. The Commission asked
staff to clarify what was intended by "multiple family dwellings as a mixed
use" and postponed the item. They also directed staff to revise the
amendment to include the C-1 district. The revised amendment was
presented to the Commission at their October 28th meeting. At that meeting
the Commission recommended approval of the proposed ordinance
amendment, which included allowing multiple family dwellings as a mixed
use with business or retail use on the ground floor in the C-1 district and
single family dwellings in the C-2 district.
Recommendation
The Planning Commission and staff recommend the City Council approve
Ordinance 97- amending the C-1 and C-2 zoning districts to eliminate
residential dwellings at R-4 standards as a conditional use.
\\elkriver\sys\shrdoc\planning\scott\oa971 lcc.doc
ORDINANCE 97-
CITY OF ELK RIVER
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 900.12 OF THE
CITY OF ELK RIVER CODES OF ORDINANCE RELATING TO
CONDITIONAL USES IN THE C2 AND C1 ZONING DISTRICTS
CASE NO. OA 97-11
CASE NO. OA 97-13
The City Council of the City of Elk River does hereby ordain as follows:
Section 1. Section 900.12 (11) of the City of Elk River Code of Ordinance
titled "Permitted, Accessory, and Conditional Uses" is hereby amended to
delete the following conditional use:
11. C2 Office District
C. Conditional Uses
iii. Residential dwelhngs at R-4 standards
Section2. Section 900.12 (10) of the City of Elk River Code of Ordinance
titled "Permitted, Accessory, and Conditional Uses" is hereby amended to
delete the following conditional use:
10. C1 Central Commercial District
C. Conditional Uses
vi. Residential dwellings at R-4 standards
Section 3. Sections 900.12 (11) of the City of Elk River Code of Ordinance
titled "Permitted, Accessory, and Conditional Uses" is hereby amended to add
the following conditional uses:
11. C2 Office District
C. Conditional Uses
iii. single family dwellings
Section 4. Sections 900.12 (10) of the City of Elk River Code of Ordinance
titled "Permitted, Accessory, and Conditional Uses" is hereby amended to add
the following conditional uses:
10. C1 Central Commercial District
C. Conditional Uses
vi. Multiple family dwellings provided:
1.that business/commercial uses occupy the ground
floor below the residential use
Section 5. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force from and
after the date of its publication.
Passed and adopted this
City of Elk River.
day of
,1997, by the City Council of the
ATTEST:
Henry A. Duitsman, Mayor
Sandra A. Thackeray, City Clerk
s:\document\ordinanc\oa97-11.doc
v. Model homes in compliance with Section 900.20,
Subsection 13.
vi. Licensed daycare facilities for 16 or fewer
children
vii. Public parks, playgrounds and open space
B. Accessory Uses
i. Public shelters and essential services
ii. Garages and sheds
iii. Private recreational facilities
C. Conditional Uses
i. Outpatient health care facilities
ii. Boarding houses
iii. Institutional uses
iv. Licensed daycare facilities for 17 or more
children
v. Governmental buildings and facilities
vi. Mini Storage
vii. Zero lot line development
10. C-1 - Central Business District
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The Central Business District (CBD) is
appropriate for retail, service, and commercial uses to serve the
shopping and service needs of the residents and surrounding
community as distinguished from highway service uses. The CBD is
intended to encourage uses and designs that are consistent with
the historic character of the CBD. Emphasis should be placed on
pedestrian access and design standards with flexibility to
preserve the historic character of the CBD. Uses should be
designed to eliminate any nuisance or incompatibility with
surrounding uses.
A. Permitted Uses
i. Governmental, business and professional offices
ii. Financial institutions
iii. Retail stores and shops
9.28
Bo
Co
vi. Hotels
vii. Restaurants,
viii. Public parks
ix. Sale of firearms
Accessor~ Uses
Personal service Establishments
Outpatient health care facilities
(Class I)
i. Signs as permitted in Section 900.22
ii. Off-street parking facilities
iii. Off-street loading facilities
iv. Telephone booths
v. Private recreational facilities
vi. Public shelters and essential services
Conditional Uses
i. Nonprofit clubs, lodges or halls
ii. Licensed daycare facilities
iii. Institutional uses
iv. Motor vehicle service stations
v. Commercial parking lots and ramps
vi. Residential dwellings (R-4 standards)
vii. On-Sale liquor establishments
viii.Commercial recreational facilities
ix. Convenience store
x. Funeral parlor
xi. Restaurants, (Class II)
xii. Governmental buildings and facilities
xiii.Apartments subordinate to the principal use
9.29
xiv. Produce Markets
xv. Therapeutic massage and sauna establishments
11. - Office District
C-2
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The C-2 Office District is intended to
buffer residential districts from arterial streets or from
commercial districts and to provide a district which is
compatible with and may reasonably adjoin residential districts.
The Office District provides for the location and development of
offices and other service and light commercial uses which are
subject to more restrictive controls.
A. Permitted Uses
i. Governmental, business and professional offices
ii. Outpatient health care facilities
iii. Personal service establishments
iv. Public parks
B. Accessory Uses
i. Signs as permitted in Section 900.22
ii. Off-street parking facilities
iii. Off-street loading facilities
iv. Telephone booths
v. Private recreational facilities
vi. Public shelters and essential services
C. Conditional Uses
i. Licensed daycare facilities
ii. Institutional uses
iii. Residential dwellings (R-4 standards)
iv. Financial institutions
v. Funeral parlor
vi. Boarding house
vii. Governmental buildings and facilities
9.30
]!2
ZONING MAP
172ND
171ST
170TN
169TN
168TH