7.9. SR 11-21-1994
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ITEM 7.9.
MEMORANDUM
FROM:
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
STEVEN B. ACH, CITY PLANNE~-
TO:
DATE:
NOVEMBER 21, 1994
SUBJECT: TAILWIND TRAILERS CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT
REQUEST
Staff is requesting authorization from the City Council to work with the City
Attorney to bring Tailwind Trailers into compliance with their conditional
use permit.
OVERVIEW
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Attached is information relative to the history on Tailwind Trailers and the
events that have led to this point of having to take formal action to establish
compliance with a conditional use permit. Tailwind Trailers most recently
received a conditional use permit in 1992 to allow the expansion of their
existing trailer sales lot. As part of that permit, there were 13 conditions
that had to be met within two years (October 1994) of the time of Council
approval. As indicated on the attached conditional use, 11 of the 13
conditions have not been satisfied.
Besides not complying with their conditional use permit, Tailwind Trailers
has expanded their operation within the past year onto the adjacent lot
which was previously owned by Car Haven. Mr. Atkins, owner of Tailwind
Trailers was notified by the City, informing him that a conditional use permit
would be required to expand his operation. Since making that initial contact,
staff has exchanged correspondence with Mr. Atkins for approximately one
year with no progress being made towards obtaining a conditional use
permit.
COMPLIANCE WITH CITY APPROVALS
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One of the important "links" in the City's review process is the enforcement
or follow-up to make sure development plans or conditions of permits are
complied with. This is an important step because if there is no compliance
s:council:tailwind
P.O. Box 490 · 13065 Orono Parkway · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
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with approved plans or permits, the Planning Commission's recommendation
and City Council's final action could be a wasted effort.
RECOMMENDATION
It is requested that the City Council authorize staff to work with the City
Attorney to bring Tailwind Trailers into compliance with their 1992
conditional use permit, as well as making application for an amended
conditional use permit for their expanded operation.
Please review the attached conditional use permit as approved by the City
Council as well as correspondence staff has made with Mr. Atkins over the
past year.
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STATUS REPORT ON TAILWIND TRAILERS
HISTORY OF SITE
September - 1989: The City of Elk River denied a conditional use permit for
Trailer King, which was changed to Tailwind Trailers (CD 89-23), based on
an inadequate site plan for review. The request involved a conditional use
permit for trailer sales.
January - 1992: Tailwind Trailers was contacted by the City for remodeling
existing structures without a building permit. A list of ten (10) violations
were given to the applicant and a "stop work" order was issued. To my
knowledge, the ten issues have never been corrected. See attached letter for
a list of conditions. A component of the building code issue was to apply for a
conditional use permit for the expansion of the trailer sales lot.
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October - 1992: Tailwind Trailers received approval of a conditional use
permit (CD 92-19) to allow the expansion of the existing trailers sales lot
with thirteen (13) conditions. The applicant was given two (2) years to
conform with the conditional use permit and all conditions should be met by
October 1994. Attached is a list of conditions approved with the conditional
use permit. I have highlighted the conditions still outstanding.
Spring - 1994: Ron Atkins, owner of Tailwind Trailers, contacted the City
concerning the lot formerly owned and occupied by Car Heaven. Mr. Atkins
inquired about the process needed to expand to this vacant parcel. The City
informed Mr. Atkins that an expansion to the Car Heaven site would require
a conditional use permit. Approximately one month after this conversation,
Mr. Atkins violated City requirements and began displaying and repairing
trailers from the Car Heaven site. Numerous letters have been sent to Mr.
Atkins requesting that Tailwind Trailers apply for a conditional use permit
for the expansion. These requests have been disregarded by Tailwind
Trailers.
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268635
STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OF SHERBURNE
CITY OF ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF ELK RIVER
CONDITIONAL USE PROCEEDINGS
In the Matter of Tailwind Trailers
REQUEST: Conditional Use Permit to allow the
expansion of an existin~ trailer sales lot.
ORDER GRANTING
CONDITIONAL USE
Cheryl & Ronald Atkins. Owners
The above entitled matter came to be heard before the City Council on
the 19th day of October, 1992, on a petition for a Conditional Use pursuant
to the City of Elk River Zoning Ordinance, fOr" the followin~ described
property:
See attached legal description.
IT IS ORDERED that a Condi tional Use be granted as upon the following
conditions or reasons:
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1.
THAT THE APPLICANT COMBINE THE TWO LOTS CONTAINING THE PROPOSED
BUILDING. ALSO THAT THIS CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT VALIDATES THE TWO
EXISTING STRUCTURES ON THE SMIE LOT.
2. THAT THE APPLICANT PLANT 32 TREES AS REQUIRED BY THE LANDSCAPING
ORDINANCE. IN PARTICULAR, THAT THE BERM SHOWN ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE
PROPERTY LINE IS PLANTED WITH CONIFEROUS TREES TO HELP SCREEN IT FROM
THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTl.
3. THAT THE DUMPSTER, MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT AND ROOFTOP EQUIPMENT ARE ALL
SCREENED PROPERLY ACCORDING TO ORDINANCE.
4. THAT LIGHTING FOR THE SITE MEETS CITI CODE.
5. THAT THE APPLICANT NOT BE ALLOWED TO STORE OR DISPLAY TRAILERS ON THE
NORTH SIDE OF THE IMPROVED ROADWAY. THE APPLICANT SHALL MAINTAIN THE
GRASSY AREA IN A NEAT MANNER.
6. THAT DRAINAGE CALCULATIONS AND GRADING PLAN FOR THIS SITE ARE APPROVED
BY THE CITY ENGINEER. FURTHER, THAT IF NECESSARY, MNDOT. APPROVE
GRADING FOR THE SITE AS IT RELATES TO THE DITCH FOR HIGHWAY 10.
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THAT THE APPLICANT PROVIDE 32 PARKING STALLS INCLUDING ONE HANDICAPPED
STALL AS PER CITl ORDINANCE.
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8. THAT THE PROPOSED NEW STRUCTURE HAVE A BRICK FASCIA IN ORDER TO COMPLY
WITH THE ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS FOR THE AREA.
9.
THAT ALL EXISTING BUILDINGS THAT WERE REMODELED PRIOR TO BUILDING
PERMIT APPROVAL BE BROUGHT UP TO THE MINIMUM STANDARDS OF THE 1988
UNIFORM BUILDING CODE.
10.
THAT THE APPLICANT VERIFl THAT THE INCREASED FLOW TO THE SOUTH WILL NOT
ADVERSELY AFFECT THIS AREA AND THAT A LARGER PVC PIPE TO DISCHARGE
OVERFLOW FROM THE SOUTH POND BE USED.
11.
THAT THE APPLICANT PROVIDE A 24 FOOT WIDE PAVED DRIVEWAY WITHIN THE
ROAD EASEMENT AREA. FURTHER, THAT A 10' SETBACK BETWEEN THIS DRIVEWAY
AND THE DISPLAY AREA BE MET AS PER CITY CODE.
12.
THAT STORAGE BE ALLOWED IN THE EASEMENT IF IT IS KEPT ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
PARTIES INVOLVED AND IF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CITY CODE ARE MET
PERTAINING TO PARKING.
13.
THAT THE APPLICANT PROVIDE LARGER PARKING STALLS AS PART OF THEIR
PARKING REQUIREMENT.
DATED this 28th day of October, 1992.
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Ell{ River
September 3, 1993
RON ATKINS
TAILWIND TRAILERS
9784 HWY 10
ELK RIVER, MN 55330
Dear Mr. Atkins,
Recently I have noticed that trailers are being stored on the
vacant lot next to Tailwind Trailers located at 9784 Highway
10. As we discussed over the phone a few months ago, an
amendment to your conditional use permit is required before the
City of Elk River can allow you to expand to the vacant parcel
formerly known as Car Heaven.
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The City of Elk River requires that all the trailers be removed
from this lot immediately. If you wish to pursue the matter of
adding this parcel to the conditional use permit you received
in 1992, an amendment is required. Please contact City staff
for further information on this process.
A compliance date for removal of
established as of September 22, 1993. A
be conducted at that time to determine
meet the September 22, 1993 deadline
action taken against you.
If you have any questions concerning this matter, please call
me at 441-7420. Your anticipated cooperation resolving this
matter is appreciated.
the trailers has been
second inspection will
compliance. Failure to
will result in legal
Sincerely,
f::JL~
Zoning Assistant
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P.O. Box 490 · 13065 Orono Parkway · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
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November 24, 1993
Ron Atkins
Tailwind Trailers
9784 Highway 10
Elk River, MN 55330
Dear Mr. Atkins:
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This letter is regarding your trailer sales lot being expanded
to the lot formally occupied by Car Heaven. The City of Elk
River has received the letters you provided from the MN
Department of Public Safety and your attorney, Donald Fett.
After consulting with the City Attorney, it is the City's
position that expanding your trailer sales lot will require an
amendment to your conditional use permit.
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The City of Elk River and the State of Minnesota are two
different governmental agencies, each having different rules
and regulations. Land use in the City of Elk River is governed
by the Elk River Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Ordinance
classifies land uses without reference .to State licensing
requirements. The Zoning Ordinance classifies car sales and
trailer sales as different land uses, therefore, to comply with
the Zoning Ordinance you must receive an amendment to your
conditional use permit.
.
The next deadline for filing an application for a conditional
use permit is December 28, 1993. If a complete application is
submitted by that date, the Planning Commission will consider
this request on January 25, 1994, and the City Council will act
on the request February 21, 1994. Until your application for
an amended conditional use permit is approved by the City
Council, the former Car Heaven lot must be cleared of any
trailers or legal action will be taken.
I have also noted that very few of the conditions placed on the
original conditional use permit have been met. The City of Elk
River has established an October 19, 1994, compliance date for
the completion of all the conditions. Failure to met this
compliance date will be a violation of the conditions of your
conditional use permit and could result in revocation of the
permit.
P.O. Box 490 · 13065 Orono Parkway · Elk River, MN 55330 · (61~) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
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Your anticipated cooperation in resolving this matter is
greatly appreciated. If you have any questions or concerns
regarding this matter, please call me at 441-7420.
Sincerely,
G sq
Gary~itz
Zoning Assistant
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February 24, 1994
Ron Atkins
Tailwind Trailers
9784 Highway 10
Elk River MN 55330
Dear Mr. Atkins:
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This letter is regarding your trailer sales lot being expanded to the lot formerly occupied
by Car Heaven. As you have been informed, expansion into this lot requires an
amendment to your conditional use permit. On November 24, 1993, I sent a letter
requiring Tailwind Trailers to apply for a conditional use permit by December 28, 1993.
A copy of this letter is attached for your review. The December 28, 1993, deadline has
passed and you continue to operate your sales lot on the above mentioned parcel.
Please be informed that the City of Elk River has established a final compliance date of
March 15, 1994, to apply for an amendment to your conditional use permit or clear the lot
of trailers. At that time, a second inspection will be conducted to determine compliance.
Failure to comply with the March 15, 1994 deadline will result in legal action. No
additional extensions will be granted.
If you have any questions concerning this matter, feel free to contact me at 441-7420.
Your anticipated cooperation resolving this matter is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
(b&~ 54
Gary Schmitz
Planning Assistant
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cc: Don Fett
657 Main Street
Elk River, MN 55330
P.O. Box 490 · 13065 Orono Parkway · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
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Ell{ River
June 29,1994
Ron Atkins
Tailwind Trailers
9784 Highway 10
Elk River MN 55330
Dear Mr. Atkins:
This letter is regarding your trailer sales lot expanding to the lot formerly
occupied by Car Heaven. On February 24, 1994, I sent you a letter indicating
a final compliance date of March 15, 1994. At that time, you indicated that
you wanted to discuss this issue with the City before it was turned over to the
. City Attorney.
Due to an unexpected circumstance, I had to cancel this meeting and it was
not rescheduled. Throughout this time frame you have continued to
conducted business from the lot formerly occupied by Car Haven. I am in the
process of turning this issue over to the City Attorney. If you would like to
discuss this matter further, please contact me prior to July 1, 1994. As I
mentioned to you on several occasions, the expansion of your trailer sales lot
does require an amendment to your Conditional Use Permit. The City's
ordinance is very firm on this requirement.
There are also several conditions related to your existing Conditional Use
Permit, which have not been complied with. Please keep in mind that a two
year time limit is established for all the conditions to be met. The two year
expiration date is October, 1994. If you wish to contact me, my telephone
number is 441-4921.
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Gary thmitz
Planning Assistant
cc: Donald Fett
atkins.plan
P.o. Box 490 · 13065 Orono Parkway · Elk River. MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425