07-15-1997 Planning Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

PEQUOT LAKES PLANNING&ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JULY 15, 1997 The regular meeting of the Pequot Lakes Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order by Chairman M. Jurchen at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday,July 15, 1997, at the Pequot Lakes City Hall. Roll call: M.Jurchen; G. Welu; G. Jenson;J.Thompson; and F. Martinson present. Absent none. Chairman M. Jurchen updated the commission on the actions that the council had taken on the commission's last recommendations. The council approved the zoning ordinance amendments allowing by Conditional Use Permit: Automobile and truck, sale and repair in Light Industrial Districts; and Manufactured home/on-site sales and operations office in Multi-family Districts. The council also approved the rezoning as requested by Whitetail Properties from Light Industrial to Commercial. Rich Harris, United Building Centers presented a proposal for developing part of the Paul Bunyan Trail property located to the east of their existing building. Mr. Harris stated that Burlington Northern had sent him a letter informing him that they would lift the restrictive covenants if they are able to purchase the property from the DNR. These 4 lots are approximately 70' x 600' and are zoned Public/Open. He explained this property would be used for display of their sheds, additional parking and a warehouse approximately 200' long would be constructed for bulk storage. Their existing building is 25' off the center line of the trail and the new building they are proposing would be the same distance away. The property would be fenced. Mr. Harris requested help from the Planning Commission by having the property rezoned and help from the City Council in the form of a letter of support to the DNR. Motion by F. Martinson and seconded by J. Thompson to hold a public hearing on August 4, 1997, at 6:30 p.m. to rezone approximately 75' x 600' of the property owned by MN Dept. of Natural Resources, North of East Sibley Street between the Paul Bunyan Trail and Government Drive, to be rezoned from Public/Open to Exempt Commercial. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by J. Thompson and seconded by G. Welu to hold a public hearing on August 4, 1997, at 7:00 p.m. to amend Zoning Ordinance No. 163, Section 8.20, by adding the following classification: Liquor, on-sale allowed by Conditional Use Permit in Limited Commercial, Commercial and Exempt Commercial Districts. Motion carried unanimously. Bill Stroot explained the marketing strategy of tiering the Industrial Park and possibly renaming it the Pequot Lakes Business Park. He suggested that the amount of retail be limited to less than 20% of the total operation for public safety reasons. The Commission discussed tiering the Industrial Park and will hold a public hearing to amend the classifications and will remove these classifications from Section 8.20 and create a new Section 16.0. Motion by F. Martinson and seconded by G. Welu to hold a public hearing on August 4, 1997, at 7:30 p.m. to amend Zoning Ordinance No. 163 to allow by Conditional Use Permit, Professional Offices in Light Industrial Districts. Motion carried unanimously. The Commission requested that the Zoning Administrator complete an inventory of existing parking spaces in the Exempt Commercial Districts and vacant lots for the August 19, 1997 meeting. The Commission will review this information and will prepare a recommendation for a long term solution to the city council.