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Pequot Lakes Staff Report 4(a) - 1 April 16, 2015 PUBLIC HEARING Application: Ordinance Amendment regarding Public Use in the Business Park Applicant: City of Pequot Lakes Agenda Item: 4 (a) Background Information: At the February 3, 2014 City Council meeting, the Council directed the Planning Commission to update the Downtown Plan as a top priority. The Planning Commission had reviewed various goals and objectives from the Comprehensive Plan and determined 6 items as High and Secondary Priority, which included “Adjust the zoning code to clearly reserve all space within the industrial park for uses that are not public, will pay property tax and will employ people.” In 2011 the School District proposed to locate its’ storage and maintenance facility in the Business/Industrial Park. Staff discovered that “Public Use” was not addressed in the Zoning Ordinance. Subsequently the Ordinance was amended to allow “Public Use” in all zoning districts. “Public Use” is defined as “The use of land or structures by public-entities for uses including, but not limited to, parks, public buildings and athletic fields.” The following is an excerpt of a Memo drafted by Charles Marohn, City Planner, to the Mayor, City Council and Planning Commission, dated March 3, 2011: “The EDC, as well as the Planning Commission through the Comprehensive Planning process, is working on ways to increase private-sector investment in the business park. The City has already reduced lot size requirements, increased coverage thresholds and is looking to change survey submittal standards to make subdivision less expensive. This is all being done because there is a realization that the return-on-investment in the park has not been high enough for the City, particularly when compared to the long-term costs of maintaining the huge infrastructure investment we have there.” An article in the November 12, 1998 Lake Country Echo states “The idea for the business park was hatched as a means to generate commercial growth and jobs for the community.” A brochure titled “Pequot Lakes Business Park” from the same era states “The purpose of the business park is to provide a location for businesses that provide jobs.” It is unknown the number of jobs created by public uses, such as parks, public buildings and athletic fields.