5.13 pk.?
• ` Item # 5.1 3.
City of , MEMORANDUM
Elk ,, River
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Scott Harlicker, Senior Planne4
DATE: February 27, 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 165th 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. Cargill's 980 acres is currently part of 3
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • TDD &Phone (763) 441-7420 • Fax (763) 441-7425
Memo to Planning Commission/OA 00-8
February 27,2001
Page 2
zoning districts, R1a (Single Family Residential), 11 (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
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Memo to Planning Commission/OA 00-8
February 27,2001
Page 3
Standards
A. Minimum lot size — forty (40) acres
B. Building Setbacks (minimum)
Front Yard — 50 feet
ii. Side Yard — 50 feet
iii. Rear Yard — 50 feet
C. Maximum Building Height — 40 feet
D. Parking Lot Setbacks
Front Yard — 50 feet
ii. Side Yard — 50 feet
iii. Rear Yard — 50 feet
E. Landscaping
Landscaping shall be provided in accordance with Section 900.30
of the Zoning Code.
•
F. Signage
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.
•
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