5.5 • Item # 5.5.
City of
Elk
River
MEMORANDUM
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Scott Harlicker, Senior Planne17k
DATE: May 22, 2001
SUBJECT: Case No. OA 00-8
Request by City of Elk River for Ordinance Amendment
Regarding Agricultural Research
Request
• Consider a request by the City of Elk River to amend the Zoning Code to create a definition
for Agricultural Research and establish an AR (Agricultural Research) District.
Overview
In May 1995, a conditional use permit was granted to Cargill for a feedlot at their animal
nutrition center.The conditional use permit was issued for their existing facility on the south
side of 165`h Avenue and the proposed expansion of their swine facility.At the time it was
felt that their facility best fit the definition of a feedlot which is defined as,
"A confined area used for housing or feeding poultry or livestock where substantial
amounts of animal waste will be generated, but not including barns or pens which
are necessary uses incidental to farming operation."
This definition does not accurately describe the operations of Cargill's facility.One aspect of
the operation fits the zoning code definition of a feedlot,but the nutrition center is primarily
a research center and offices for the development of improved animal nutrition.Along with
research in animal nutrition, the center conducts research in the preservation of feed and
silage, development of new types of feed and laboratory analysis.
During the summer of 1996 the City and Cargill began discussions that included the current
classification of the nutritional center as a feedlot as well as which zoning district
classification would be most appropriate for Cargill's property.The facility is an agricultural
• research facility that does not fit neatly into any of the existing definitions or zoning districts.
Memo to Planning Commission/OA 00-8
May 22,2001
Page 2
Cargill's 980 acres is currently part of 3 zoning districts,Rla(Single Family Residential),I1
(Light Industrial) and C3 (Highway Commercial).
Recommendation
Based on the above overview, staff is presenting the following definition for agricultural
research:
Agricultural Research Facilities: Buildings, laboratories, and other facilities or structures
which are used in connection with agricultural research and development, investigation,
testing,or experimentation.Such facilities may include,but are not limited to:animal feeding
facilities,barns,storage buildings,confinement areas,or other animal housing units;pasture
and grazing areas; cropped or tilled fields; grain and feed processing; nursery areas; and
agricultural waste management facilities or systems.
In order to address the issue of which zoning district is most appropriate for Cargill's
property, staff is recommending the creation of a new zoning district, AR (Agricultural
Research).The Agricultural Research District would accurately reflect the long range plans
for Cargill's property as well as the present and short term use.The actual rezoning and land
use plan amendment for Cargill's property is the subject of a separate application initiated by
the City. The proposed Agricultural Research District is outlined below:
Agricultural Research District
•
Statement of Purpose: The Agricultural Research District is established for the purpose of
preserving and maintaining the use of land for agricultural research.
A. Permitted Uses
1. Single Family Dwellings
2. Roadside sales stands—in connection with approved agricultural research facilities
3. Public parks, playgrounds and open space
B. Accessory Uses
1. Garages and sheds as accessory to a single family dwelling
2. Public shelters and essential services
3. Private recreational facilities
C. Conditional Uses
1. Agricultural research facilities and uses
•
S:\PLANNING\SCOTT\OA00-8.DOC
Memo to Planning Commission/OA 00-8
May 22,2001
Page 3
• Standards
A. Minimum lot size - forty (40) acres
B. Building Setbacks (minimum)
i. Front Yard - 50 feet
ii. Side Yard- 50 feet
iii. Rear Yard - 50 feet
C. Maximum Building Height - 40 feet
D. Parking Lot Setbacks
i. Front Yard - 50 feet
ii. Side Yard- 50 feet
iii. Rear Yard - 50 feet
E. Landscaping
i. Landscaping shall be provided in accordance with Section 900.30 of the
Zoning Code.
• F. Signage
i. In addition to complying with Section 900.22 of the Zoning Code, the
following requirements shall be met:
a. One freestanding monument style sign shall be allowed not to exceed 10
feet in height and 64 square feet in sign area.
•
S:\PLANNING\SCOTT\OA00-8.DOC