3A - Ordinance Amendment to Height Limits in the Light Industrial District

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STAFF REPORT Application: Ordinance Amendment to Modify Height Limits in the Light Industrial District (continued) Applicant: City of Pequot Lakes Agenda Item:3(a) Background: Over the last couple of months, the Planning Commission has reviewed two applications for variances for structures exceeding the height limit in the Light Industrial zone. In both instances, the Planning Commission approved the variances as both variances were for accessory structures that were required by State statute for safe and healthful operation of the businesses involved. In the Light Industrial zone, the height limit may be overly restrictive for the types of uses that would be typically allowed within that zone. The Planning Commission should consider amending the Ordinance regarding maximum height in the Light Industrial zone. The Staff previously proposed maintaining the maximum building height for principle structures at 25 feet,while allowing accessory equipment structures to have a maximum height of 35 feet. The Planning Commission discussed the matter at the last meeting and questioned the purpose of the current 25-foot height limit.The Planning Commission also proposed a uniform structure height of 35-feet, but requested that Staff provide an analysis of any potential impacts of doing SO. The current 25-foot height limit,presumably,was put in place due to the limitations of the local fire department equipment, which previously had been unable to reach structures higher than 25 feet(or two stories). In the past couple of years, new fire equipment has been purchased and there are no longer those limitations. Other communities, such as Breezy Point,that share local fire services,have also made similar height changes in their Ordinances due to improvements in local fire equipment. A uniform height limit of 35 feet within the Light Industrial Zone is unlikely to have significant impacts on the community. The largest obstacle to such a height, as discussed above, had been the ability to appropriately serve those buildings should they catch fire. There may be visual impacts associated with this increased height as viewed from properties in the immediate vicinity. The tree coverage along Highway 371, however, will limit the impacts as viewed from the road,as most of these trees have a height of roughly 30 feet or higher as mature trees. By increasing the maximum height, variances for structures currently typically required for manufacturing processes will no longer be required. By simplifying the height limitation and making it uniform for all structures,the City will also avoid any wrangling over interpretation of what constitutes and accessory equipment structure. Proposed Ordinance Amendment: The Staff proposes the following Ordinance amendments to Section 5.13 of the Land Use Ordinance: Subdivision 3.Lot,Use,and Density Requirements: Building height—feet,maximum....................................................................... City of Pequot Lakes Staff Report 1-1 November 15,2007