6.2. SR 11-17-2003City ~
Item
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor and City Council
Michele Mceherso~irector of Planning
November 17, 2003
Case No. OA 03-07
Request by the City of Elk River for an Ordinance Amendment
to Section 30-1 Regarding Governmental Buildings and
Facilities - Public Hearing
Attachments
Ordinance No 03 - __ Amending the Definitions of Governmental Buildings and
Facilities and Governmental Offices.
Request
At the September 15, 2003 City Council meeting, staff's interpretation regarding the County
jail expansion and the definitions for government buildings and facilities versus government
offices was discussed. Staff had made the interpretation that the jail expansion appeared to
comply with the current definition of governmental offices as defined which include "uses
intended or generally compatible with office and residential uses including city offices,
county offices, courthouses, jails operated on the same site and as part of a city or county
courthouse, libraries and post offices". The City Council disagreed with staff's interpretation
and determined that the jail as it currently operates meets the definition of a correctional
facility as identified under State Statute, and would therefore need a conditional use permit.
At the same meeting, the City Council directed staff to process an ordinance amendment to
more dearly define what is intended as a jail that is operated in conjunction with and relating
to a county courthouse. The revised definition is attached for your consideration.
In the residential and business park districts, governmental offices are a permitted use while
government buildings and facilities are conditional uses. With the modification to the
definition, it is dear that any additional jail cells would require a conditional use permit and
public hearing process.
Memo to Mayor and City Council/OA 03-07
November 17, 2003
Page 2
Planning Commission Action
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the changes to the
definition with one change: insert the word "Sherburne" in front of the word County in the
governmental offices definition.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the ordinance
amendment clarifying the definitions of government buildings and facilities and government
offices.
S:~PLANNING\Case Files\2003\OA 03-07 City of ER Govt Bldgs\l 1 17 cc memo.doc