5.2. PCSR 10-14-2008~J
City of
Elk -~-,
River
City of Elk River Item Number
REQUEST FOR PLANNING COMMISSION
ACTION s.2.
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Plannin Items October 14, 2008 erem Barnhart, Plannin Mana er
Item Description Reviewed by
Request by Janet Adams for Conditional Use Permit to allow a
non-owner occupied bed and breakfast, Public Hearing -Case
No. CUP 08-20
Action Requested
Approval of a Conditional Use Permit, subject to the conditions listed below:
1. As a Conditional Use Permit is not a Building Permit, the applicant shall apply for all
require permits.
2. The development shall meet all applicable building and fire codes. The Fire Chief shall
verify the location of all fire hydrants, and may require additional hydrants necessary to
preserve the health and safety of the residents.
3. Signage may be permitted, provided it is limited to one 4 sq fi wall sign and one
freestanding sign (4 feet in height, and 8 square feet). Neither sign may be illuminated.
4. No more than 5 sleeping rooms for guest use.
Location
931 Main Street
Introduction
The applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit for the subject property in order to allow for a small
business in the existing home. The business would allow the home to transition from a residence to a
structure that would house up to 12 customers with space for scrap booking, quilting, and other, similar
crafting events. This business is not directly listed in the zoning ordinance, but based on interviews with
the applicant, is very similar to a bed and breakfast.
The Planning Commission may recall that Ms. Adams prepared an ordinance amendment to rezone the
property to commercial. That applicant was denied, but Staff was directed to prepare an ordinance that
would allow the non-owner occupied use through a conditional use permit process.
Planning Commission Action Morton by Second by Vote
Follow Up
Case File: CUP 08-20
Page 3
5. lYlill not involve uses, activities, processes, materials, equipment and conditions of operation that will be
detrimental to any persons or property because of excessive traffic, noise, smoke, fumes, glare, odors, dust or
vibrations.
6. Will not result in the destruction, loss or damage of a natural, scenic or historic feature of major importance.
7. 1-Vill fully comply with all other requirements of this Code, including any applicable requirements and
standards for the issuance of a license or permit to establish and operate the proposed use in the city.
If denial of such a permit should occur, it shall accompany recommendations or determinations by
findings or a report stating how the proposed use does not comply with the standards set forth in
Section 30-654.
In the review of the standards for CUP as outlined, it appears that the request is consistent with all
of these standards.
Analysis
The purpose of a Conditional Use is to allow adjacent, potentially affected property owners an
opportunity to comment on a proposed use. Additionally, it allows a City to formally review these
potential impacts, and re-inspect them over time, to ensure that these impacts are as described in the
Permit.
At the Public Hearings for the proposed rezoning, the Planning Commission and City Council heard
comments related to use of the driveway from the adjacent property owner, the concern with loss of
privacy into adjacent rear yards, and the overall concern with the expansion of the commercial area
into the residential neighborhood, and its potential for noise, traffic, and light disruptions.
The review of the proposed conditional use permit included these concerns:
Parking: The ordinance (as proposed) requires one parking stall for each guest room, plus one for
the employee. There are 2 garage stalls, and room for 5 additional cars along the garage. There
appears to be adequate parking on site without the need for additional modifications. Access to the
parking area will be via an existing easement on an adjacent property. There has been no evidence
provided that suggests that this easement does not permit a business use of the driveway. The
attached site plan sketch shows the proposed parking area.
Privacy: During the site inspection, it was noted that the adjacent properties to the south are quite a
bit lower than the floor level of the subject property. An exiting tree and shrub line provides
definition between the subject property and these properties. No other screening is proposed or
recommended, as the impact seems negligible, and the screening, to effectively screen from the
upper level windows, would have to be 10+ feet height, inconsistent with the residential character
sought to preserve.
Use of the property: The bed and breakfast model is generally considered an appropriate
transitional use between residential and commercial.
Main Street is classified a major collector by the City's transportation plan, meaning it is built and
designed to accommodate commercial and residential traffic.
S:\PLANNING MAIN\Case Files\CUP\CU OS-20 Janet Adams\CUP 08-20_PC.doc
Case File: CUP 08-20
Page 4
The applicant does propose signage, near the front door and rear entrance. The signage is
consistent with the proposed ordinance.
Based on this review, the information received thus far, and the belief that the standards for
Conditional Use Permit are appropriately addressed, Staff supports a positive recommendation by
the Planning Commission.
S:\PLANNING MAIN\Case Files\CUP\CU 08-20 Janet Adams\CUP 08-20_PC.doc
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Ri' Ver Case Number: JANET ADAMS
To:
Planning CommissionBoazd of Adjustment, City Council
From:
Janet Adams
Following is a description of the proposed business at 931 Main Street.
Purpose: Requesting the re-zoning of 931 Main Street from residential to
commercial.
Scope of Project: The proposed business is a gathering place (retreat center) for
quilting, scrapbooking ,etc. The house will be rented out to qualified people for a
specific amount of time. Clientele will bring their projects and personal items.
The business will supply much of the necessary equipment to pursue these
activities.
• Maximum number of guests is 12 with a 2 night minimum
stay
• Potential of being rented up to 46 weekends per year
• Main portion of the house will be used similar to a bed and
breakfast including use of the kitchen by the clientele.
• The activity room is located at the rear of the house which is
where the quilting, scrapbooking, etc would occur
• Adequate parking is available
• Proposed name is The Gathering. A discreet sign would be
used to announce this.
• Target market is adult women
Need for zone change: The city planner recommended that a zone change be
requested after reviewing a letter stating the intent and scope of the business
proposed for 931 Main Street. It will be a commercial property because the house
will be rented for the purpose of making a profit.
Why is a zone change needed: The house will be used for business purposes and
not a private dwelling.
Consistency with Elk River Comprehensive Plan:
• The houses directly east aze already zoned commercial. The
requested zone change would extend the commercial portion
of Main St. There are no gaps in the commercial zoning on
the south side of Main St.
• There is commercial property across the street
• There are multiple commercial properties within 350 feet as
noted by the labels supplied by the county.
• Elk River is promoting downtown as is indicated by planning
and consenting to have constructed The Bluffs and Jackson
Place
• Elk River is attempting to draw businesses to the newly
created commercial spaces
• The proposed plan would bring in shoppers to existing
businesses and help to support any new retail shops
Compatibility with surrounding properties:
The property directly west of 931 Main St. remains
residential. The proposed business would not compromise
the appearance or integrity of the house, therefore, would not
aesthetically compromise the residential houses.
931 Main St. has historical value in Elk River and in its
present location. The proposed business would maintain and
promote those qualities.
Benefits to the city of Elk River:
• Increase awareness of historical downtown Elk River
• Increase business at the downtown restaurants and bakeries
• Increase downtown shopping
• This type of clientele tend to return 1-2 times per year to
retreat houses that offer local value and old world charm.
This would create a consumer for Elk River that comes
regularly for a few days at a time which allows them to
explore and spend their discretionary dollars.
Thank you for the time you have given to review this proposal. My very sincere
hope is that as the governing bodies of Elk River you will allow me to become a
businesswoman in Elk River. I believe the potential is available. I also believe
that this business can be an asset to the community. Historical Elk River has a
unique charm and value that should continue to draw others into the area. I want
to be a part of that vision.
Addendum:
Hours of Operation:
• The business will be available 7 days and nights per week; as stated previously
overnight stays would be a minimum of 2 nights
• Arrivals and departures would probably be between 1:00 PM and 3:OOPM
• The possibility of day rentals exist; the hours for that would be 10:00 AM to
10:00PM
Employees:
• Only the owner/operator at present
• Possibly a housekeeper in the future
Parking Stalls:
• There are 2 existing garage stalls
• There are 6 stalls outside the garage; making a total of 8 existing parking stalls
• There is the possibility of expansion into a garden area if needed
• See attached plan
Proposed Screening:
• A privacy fence at the rear retaining wall may/may not be necessary
• The concern stated that would require screening is headlights into the windows of
the homes south of the property: 931 Main St. property is above the roof level of
the properties to the south
• It is not possible to look into the homes south of the property from within 931
Main St. or from the driveway or the parking stalls
• If screening is deemed necessary, it would be a low fence which would eventually
be vine covered to maintain the overall appearance of "green" that is already in
the yard and adjacent yards
Signage:
• There would be a maximum of 2 signs
• There would be sign in front either attached to the house or near the front steps
which would be no larger than 3 feet x 2 feet; there would also be a smaller one
at the rear entrance no more than 2 feet x 1 foot.
• The intent of the signage would be for identification only and not to advertise or
give the property a commercial appearance
Outdoor Storage:
• There is an existing storage shed on the property that is camouflaged by trees and
shrubs
• The existing garage is oversized and will hold residential size garbage can and
recycling can
• The shed and garage would be used to store ordinary residential equipment for
yard maintenance and snow removal
Driveway concerns:
• The shared driveway is an expressed concern: it would not be expected that the
driveway would receive much more use than it would if a family lived in the
home
• The tendency of retreaters is to remain at the retreat site with minimal coming and
going
• Retreaters would be asked to carpool so the existing parking stalls would be
adequate; this is not an unusual request for other properties used in this same way
and this would automatically control the amount of driveway use
• Arrival and departure hours would be between the AM and PM heavier traffic
times on Main St.
• See the attached driveway agreement in the property abstract
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC)
DATE: August 22, 2008
SUBJECT: Recommendation on Case No. ZC 08-O1; Request by Janet
Adams for Rezoning from Rlc to a Commercial Rezoning
The Heritage Preservation Commission reviewed the above request by Janet Adams on August
21, 2008. This home was built in 1926-1927 by Kenneth F. Davis, son of May Blanche and
Andrew Davis. Andrew Davis was one of one of the prime movers for the organization of
the Sherburne County Agricultural Society (county fair), serving as president. He was
partner in Heebner Davis and Co. and after 1902 established Davis Bros. The house was
then purchased by Dr. Huseth in 1940-1941. Dr. Huseth was a dentist in Elk River and
was one of the original members of the Elk River Country Club. In style, this house is
similar to the Houlton house on Main St which was built around the same time by
Herman Middlestadt.
The HPC recognizes proposed land use changes as a policy decision of the City Council.
However, the HPC would like the Planning Commission to recognize its concerns it has on the
expansion of the commercial district in this part of Elk River. Rezoning the property to a
commercial would allow many different uses, including offices, retail, etc, all which have a
potential to further erode the residential character of this long established neighborhood.
The HPC sees this neighborhood as a historic, cultural asset of the community, and should the
Planning Commission and City Council feel expansion of its commercial areas necessary, would
encourage this expansion north of Highway 10. The HPC feels it is important to clearly define
the line between residential and commercial in this area, and rezoning of the subject property
would blur that line.
Lastly, the HPC has concerns with the apparent "piecemeal" approach to rezoning in this area of
the old town and feels before any rezoning away from residential should be considered in a larger
plan.