5.2. SR 02-22-1993
ITEM 5.2.
TO:
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
JANELLE SCHMITZ, ZONING
/
ASSISTANT~
DATE:
FEBRUARY 12, 1993
SUBJECT: ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REQUEST BY
THE CITY OF ELK RIVER, SECTION
900.12 "PERMITTED ACCESSORY AND
CONDITIONAL USES BY DISTRICT"/
PUBLIC HEARING
The City is initiating ordinance amendment proceedings to amend
Section 900.12 (10)(c)(14) of the Elk River City Code. The
proposed amendment would allow produce markets to locate in the
C1 Central Commercial zoning district as a conditional use.
.
This item was brought before the City Council during an update
of the proposed Farmers Market. Two sites have been chosen by
the Farmers Market including a downtown site in the parking lot
located behind Johnson's Department Store. Present zoning
regulations do not allow produce markets in the C1 zoning
district. However, it was the general consensus of the City
Council this type of use would be appropriate in the downtown
area. Further, it was noted that a conditional use permit
should be required to address issues such as parking, traffic,
and signage on a case by case basis.
Staff research of area communities revealed a variety of ways
to regulate farmers markets:
1. The cities of Anoka and Andover, require farmers
markets to receive a transient merchant license. In
both cases, the farmers markets were located on
private property.
2. The City of Blaine does not regulate farmers markets
through the zoning ordinance nor is a transient
merchant license required. Blaine has indicated that
they have not had any problems with farmers markets
and, therefore, have no need to draft regulations
regarding them.
3. The City of Brooklyn Park has a farmers market
located on a City owned athletic complex which is
regulated py the Parks Department. Permit guidelines
are reviewed on a yearly basis with vendors. They
have been pperating for approximately 10-15 years and
have not incurred any serious problems.
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720 Dodge Avenue N.W., Elk River, Minnesota 55330 (612) 441-7420
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Ordinance Amendment (Section 900.12)
February 12, 1993
Page 2
4. The City of Lakeville has a downtown farmers market
similar to that proposed in Elk River. They are
required to receive a permit from the Police Chief
who deals with traffic issues.
5. St. Cloud treats farmers markets as temporary uses.
Although permits are not required, vendors are asked
to submit a site plan to staff so traffic concerns
can be addressed.
Although staff research indicated that neighboring communities
do not regulate farmers markets through the conditional use
permit process, staff feels this is the appropriate mechanism
needed in this community to adequately address the parking,
traffic, and signage issues in the downtown area. Attached is
a draft of an ordinance amendment which would allow produce
markets as a conditional use in the Cl zoning district. The
Planning Commission recommended approval of the attached
ordinance amendment at their January 26, 1993, meeting.
The Sherburne County Grower's Association has applied for a
conditional use permit to operate a farmers market from the
downtown site. This request will be heard by the Planning
Commission on February 23, 1993, and the City Council on March
15, 1993, if the attached amendment is approved by City Council.
.
.
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ORDINANCE 93 -
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 900.12
(PERMITTED, ACCESSORY, AND CONDITIONAL USES BY DISTRICT)
An Ordinance amending Section 900.12 "Permitted, Accessory and
Conditional Uses by District," Subparagraph 10,
"C-1 CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT"
The City Council of the City of Elk River does ordain as
follows:
Section 1.
That Section 900.12(10)(c) of the Elk River
Code of Ordinances titled "Conditional Uses"
be amended to add:
c. Conditional Uses -
xiv. produce markets
Section 2.
That this Ordinance shall take effect and be
in full force from the day and after the
date of its publication.
Passed and adopted by the Elk River City Council this 22nd day
of February, 1993.
Henry A. Duitsman, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk
re
ie
(e
January 12, 1992
To: Elk River City Council
From: Elk River Downtown Development Corporation
Dear Council Members:
As you are probably aware, we have been working with the group
trying to locate a farmer's market in the downtown area. We feel
that this activity would be a positive influence on the downtown
retailers. We have discussed the possible location of the market
in the parking lot behind Kemper Drug store and feel that the use
of this parking lot will give the farmer's market the exposure it
needs to have a reasonable chance of success. We have discussed
the possible market days of Wednesday nights and/or Sundays as
compatible days for both the downtown retailers and the farmers,
although other times may also be appropriate.
We feel strong enough about this market that our development
corporation has decided to lend some financial help to this group.
We are writing you this letter to encourage the city council to be
as flexible as possible in helping this farmer's market get
started. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free
to give myself, Jim Mulroy, Dave Plude, Al Nadeau or Jeff Kleinbaum
a call.
RespectfullY,~
;a uC)ad
Rob VanValkenbu~ident
Elk River Downtown Development Corporation