7.2. SR 07-17-2017
Request for Action
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 7.2
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Public Hearings July 17, 2017
Chris Leeseberg, Senior Planner
Item Description Reviewed by
Conditional Use Permit: Dolphin Carwash
Zack Carlton, Planning Manager
Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Action Requested
Approve, by motion, the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) with the following conditions:
1. The authorized CUP shall be recorded.
2. The city building official and fire marshal shall inspect the building for compliance with all state
and local building codes.
3. The authorized use shall not begin until the CUP is recorded.
4. If the proposed work described in the application and CUP has not been substantially completed
within two years after the permit’s date of issuance, the permit shall expire and become void.
5. If the authorized use ceases for more than six months, the CUP shall expire.
6. The applicant must apply for and receive approval for all required permits before any
construction may begin.
7. No more than six vacuum stalls shall be allowed.
8. Two parking stalls shall be striped for employee parking and signed “employee parking.”
9. All sources of artificial lights shall be so fixed, directed, designed or sized that the minimum
subtotal of their illumination will not increase the level of illumination on any nearby residential
property by more than 0.1 footcandle in or within 25 feet of a dwelling or by more than 0.5
footcandle on any part of the property.
Background/Discussion
Case No. CU 17-15
The applicant is requesting CUP to operate an automated carwash facility at 516 Freeport Avenue. The
property is zoned Mixed Use Elk River Plaza (MU-ERP), is 0.99 acres in size, and is located south east of
Freeport Avenue and Jefferson Lane. Carwashes require a CUP in the MU-ERP district.
The subject site was home to Dolphin Carwash for over two decades before it closed for several years.
Because the use ceased for more than six months, the previous CUP expired.
The applicant currently employs eight and anticipates providing jobs for 16-20 employees. With the
exception of some painting, there will be no exterior modifications to the structure. The site contains
two existing accessory structures and the applicant will be re-installing the canopy structure that was
located on the property.
The hours of operation are as follows:
Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Analysis
Comprehensive Plan
The plan guides the property as Highway Business with land use ranging from moderate to high intensity
forms of commercial development. Businesses in this category may be the largest both in terms of size
and traffic generation while also providing services and convenience types of business. Market
orientation tends to be regional in nature. Development orientation tends to be toward regional
highways. Future Highway Business developments should be located within the Urban Service Boundary
and adjacent to regional highways with both visibility and access.
Parking/Circulation
The zoning code does not indicate the number of parking spaces needed for carwashes. The business
model of the facility is customers drive to the site and utilize the facility without leaving their vehicle.
There is no need for customer parking on site. There are five parking stalls provided for the use of onsite
vacuums for detailing.
It is unclear where employee parking occurs. Two parking stalls shall be striped for employee parking
and signed “employee parking.” These stalls shall be located in manner as not to interfere with customer
traffic on site.
Utilities
The subject site is currently connected to city services.
Landscaping
The applicant proposes removing the larger bushes from the front corner of the facility and replacing
with them lower growing plants.
Applicable Regulation
The issuance of a Conditional Use Permit can be ordered only if the use at the proposed location:
1. Will not endanger, injure or detrimentally affect the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity or
the public health, safety, morals, comfort, convenience or general welfare of the neighborhood or the city.
It was used as a carwash for over two decades without any known issues. The use will not endanger,
injure or detrimentally affect the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity or the
public health, safety, morals, comfort, convenience or general welfare of the neighborhood or the city.
2. Will be consistent with the comprehensive plan.
The property is guided Highway Commercial and will be consistent with the comprehensive plan.
3. Will not impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding vacant property.
There are no vacant properties surrounding the area. The use will not impede the normal and orderly
development and improvement of surrounding vacant property.
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4. Will be served adequately by and will not adversely affect essential public facilities and services including streets,
police and fire protection, drainage, refuse disposal, water and sewer systems, parks and schools; and will not, in
particular, create traffic congestion or interference with traffic on adjacent and neighboring public thoroughfares.
The use will be served adequately by and will not adversely affect essential public facilities and services
including streets, police and fire protection, drainage, refuse disposal, water and sewer systems, parks and
schools; and will not, in particular, create traffic congestion or interference with traffic on adjacent and
neighboring public thoroughfares.
5. Will not involve uses, activities, processes, materials, equipment and conditions of operation that will be detrimental
to any persons or property because of excessive traffic, noise, smoke, fumes, glare, odors, dust or vibrations.
It is guided for moderate to high intensity forms of commercial uses and will not involve uses, activities,
processes, materials, equipment and conditions of operation that will be detrimental to any persons or
property because of excessive traffic, noise, smoke, fumes, glare, odors, dust or vibrations.
6. Will not result in the destruction, loss or damage of a natural, scenic or historic feature of major importance.
No new construction or grading is proposed. The use will not result in the destruction, loss or damage
of a natural, scenic or historic feature of major importance.
7. Will fully comply with all other requirements of this Code, including any applicable requirements and standards for
the issuance of a license or permit to establish and operate the proposed use in the city.
The use will fully comply with all other requirements of this code, including any applicable requirements
and standards for the issuance of a license or permit to establish and operate the proposed use in the city.
If denial of such a permit should occur, it shall accompany recommendations or determinations by
findings or a report stating how the proposed use does not comply with the standards set forth in Section
30-654.
Planning Commission Meeting Summary
No one spoke for or against the request and staff has not received any comments since the Planning
Commission meeting.
The applicant has no issues with the recommended conditions.
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the request.
Financial Impact
None
Statutory Review Period
Per State Statute 15.99 the required 60-day review period ends on July 29, 2017.
Attachments
Location Map
Applicants Narrative
Site Plans
Building Plans
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We are excited to take a piece of Elk River's past and make it a piece of the future.
Dolphin Car Wash and Detail Center has been a staple of Elk River for over 20
years. We believe we can grow the car wash into what it used to be. Along with
that growth, bringing back the community to this area of town. Bringing business
to the movie theater, Flowers Plus of Elk River, and the various businesses in the
strip beside us.
Dolphin Car Wash and Detail Center provides vehicle washing and vehicle
detailing services. Our hours of operation are Monday thru Friday 9 am to 7 pm,
Saturday 8 am to 6 pm and Sunday 10 am to 4pm. We currently have 8
employees, with hopes of bringing that number closer to 16-20 employees. Thus
providing the younger generations of Elk River a safe and friendly place to work.
We have currently on staff 6 of Elk River's finest, from members of the DECA
group to the quarterback of the football team and captain of the soccer team.
We believe in providing a safe, drug free work zone for all.
We don't have parking spaces for long term parking. Rather, we have 5 parking
stalls for the use of vacuums.
We do not plan on any structural or signage changes at this point in time, beyond
some painting to freshen up the look. We would like to cut down 2 large bushes
on the front corner, replacing the area with a more up to date, clean display with
fresh paint and hostas. An area that we and the other businesses in our area can
take pride in.
We do have two existing outdoor storage buildings. One encases our vacuum
system. One is basic storage for a lawn mower, etc. There is also a canopy that
will be able to be put up once the weather is more cooperative. The canopy
structure is also pre-existing prior to our purchase.
We are excited to be involved with the growth and success of Elk River, MN.
We have 2 storage type units. The unit by our front vacuum area holds only the vacuuming system.
The second unit to the north of the bay entrance houses a lawn mower and misc items used for repairs
etc.
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