5.12 PCSR 05-23-1995 (
MEMORANDUM r-Q
ITEM 5.12.
Ilkity of
iElk •
River TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Gary Schmitz, Planning Assistant C,c,,s-16
DATE: May 23, 1995
SUBJECT: Ordinance Amendment Request By The
City of Elk River, Public Hearing Case No.
0A95-05
REQUEST
The City of Elk River is requesting an ordinance amendment which would amend the
uses section of the Elk River Code to allow lumber yards as a conditional use in the C-3
(Highway Commercial) zoning district. The amendment would also delete unenclosed
lumber yards as a permitted use in the I-2 (Medium Industrial) zoning district.
ATTACHMENTS
• Ordinance 95- .
BACKGROUND
The City of Elk River is proposing an ordinance amendment which would amend Section
900.12 "Permitted, Accessory and Conditional Uses by District" by adding lumber yards
as a conditional use in the C3 Highway Commercial zoning district. The amendment
would also consist of deleting unenclosed lumber yards as a permitted use in the 12
(Medium Industrial) zoning district.
ANALYSIS
The existing ordinance currently only allows lumber yards in the industrial zoning
districts. Staff is proposing an amendment which would add lumber yards as a
conditional use in the C-3 zoning district. Typically, industrial users tend to be
production orientated and do not require a great deal of highway visibility. However,
consumer orientated commercial property does necessitate a highly visible location with
good access for a business to grow and prosper. Lumber yards create a high volume of
customer traffic due to the high volume of retail sales. Highway visibility is highly
desirable for today's lumber yards, which often sell not only lumber products but other
• accessory products such as tools, electric supplies, lighting material, etc. In fact, most of
the newly constructed lumber yards, i.e., Menards/Knox, have been built in areas with
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425
Memo to Planning Commission Page 2
May 23, 1995
. high visibility in commercial zoning districts. With proper landscaping and screening,
lumber yards can coexist with other highway commercial uses without conflict.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Planning Commission approve the code amendments as proposed
in the attached ordinance.
•
1111
s:planning:pc:oa95-5
• ORDINANCE 95 -
CITY OF ELK RIVER
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 900.12
"PERMITTED, ACCESSORY AND CONDITIONAL USES BY
DISTRICT" OF THE ELK RIVER CODE OF ORDINANCES
RELATING TO LUMBER YARDS
CASE NO. OA 95-5
The City Council of the City of Elk River does hereby ordain as follows:
Section 1. Section 900.12 of the Elk River Code of Ordinances is hereby
amended to add the following section:
Section 900.12 (12)(c)(xxi) -Lumber Yard
Section 2. Section 900.12 of the Elk River Code of Ordinances is hereby
IIIamended to delete the following section:
Section 900.12 (14)(A)(v) -Lumber Yard (unenclosed)
Section 3. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force from
and after the date of its publication.
Passed and adopted this day of ,1995,by the City Council of the
City of Elk River.
Henry A. Duitsman, Mayor
ATTEST:
• Sandra A. Thackeray, City Clerk
s:ordinance:oa95-5.