5.6. PCSR 03-22-2005
Item ; I 5.6.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
Planning Commission
Michele MCPherskctor of Planning
DATE:
March 22, 2005
SUBJECT:
Case No. OA 05-04
Request by the City of Elk River for Ordinance Change relating to
Government Buildings/Facilities and Government Offices
Request
The Planning Commission is asked to consider an ordinance amendment providing consistency
in the regulation of Government Buildings/Facilities and Government Offices
Attachments
. Comparison Chart of Current and Proposed Regulations
Analysis
Staff presented information to the City Council regarding the regulation of Government
Buildings/Facilities and Government Offices at the January and February City Council work
session meetings. Inconsistencies in regulation were discovered as staff reviewed the process for
implementing the Public Works Master Plan that was approved by the City Council in January.
Currently, governmental buildings and facilities are located in the following districts: R2b Two-
family Dwelling (1\1nDOT Maintenance Facility); Cl Central Business (County Maintenance
Building, City Fire Station); Rlc Single Family (City Hall and Public Safety); 11 Light Industrial
(public Works); Business Park (County Administration/Jail); and PUD, Planned Unit
Development (Lions Park Center).
A chart has been prepared which better illustrates where governmental offices and
buildings/facilities are allowed by right or by conditional use permit. As is illustrated,
governmental offices are permitted in most Residential and Commercial districts, but only in the
Planning Department Mission: the orderly development of a livable and sustainable Elk River community.
Memo to the Planning Commission/OA 05-04
March 22, 2005
Page 2
Business Park district, while governmental buildings and facilities are conditional uses in all
districts except for the C4, Neighborhood Commercial District.
Staff suggests that governmental offices be allowed as conditional uses in all districts, except for
the C4, Neighborhood Commercial District, and that governmental buildings and facilities be
conditional uses only in the Commercial and Industrial/Business Park Districts. Making all
governmental functions a conditional use eliminates the need to try to define whether a use falls
under the Buildings/Facilities or Offices definition:
Governmental buildings and facilities means any building, structure, or facility for
the purpose of a facility serving certain governmental functions. These uses
are intended to include uses that are supportive of governmental functions
such as public works facilities, correctional facilities, and waste handling or
processing facilities. These uses are intended to be distinguished from
governmental offices and essential services.
Governmental offices means any facility, building, and structure for the purpose
of providing governmental services to the general public. Uses intended are
generally compatible with office and residential uses and include city offices,
county offices, courthouses, jails operated on the same site and as part of a
city or county courthouse, libraries, and post offices. These uses are intended
for the direct provision of governmental services to the public as
distinguished from governmental buildings and facilities.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the proposed changes
in the regulation of Government Buildings/Facilities and Government Offices as noted on the
attached chart.
S,\PLANNING\Case Files\2005\OA 05-04 Govt offices\3 2205 PC Memo.doc
Changes to Governmental Offices and
Governmental Buildings and Facilities Regulations
A1 Conditional Use
R1a Allowed Conditional Use Conditional
Use
R1b Allowed Conditional Use Conditional
Use
R1c Allowed Conditional Use Conditional
Use
R1d Allowed Conditional Use Conditional
Use
R2a Conditional Use Conditional
Use
R2b Conditional Use Conditional
Use
R3 Conditional Conditional Use Conditional
Use Use
R4 Conditional Use Conditional
Use
C1 Allowed Conditional Use Conditional Conditional Use
Use
C2 Allowed Conditional Use Conditional Conditional Use
Use
C3 Allowed Conditional Use Conditional Conditional Use
Use
C4
DD Allowed Conditional Use Conditional Conditional Use
Use
11 Conditional Use Conditional Conditional Use
Use
12 Conditional Use Conditional Conditional Use
Use
BP Allowed Conditional Use Conditional Conditional Use
Use
S:\PLANNING\Case Files\2005\Govt Bldg Comp Chart.doc