Discussion Item: Potential Interim Use Permit of Storage Containers for Ve-Ve Inc. (Project No. 20-136); Case of John Vevea on behalf of Ve-Ve Inc.

The purpose of this case is to introduce a topic to the Planning Commission that may come forward as a formal application for the December meeting. The item is an Interim Use Permit concerning two storage containers on the property located at Ve-Ve Inc., 14047 Azurite St NW (the "Subject Property").  City Staff has received an inquiry about the potential of two (2) storage containers from the property owner.

Notification is not required for a discussion item.

Summary
The business, Ve-Ve Inc. (the "Business"), and property owner, John Vevea (the "Applicant") have contacted the City about the possibility of a two (2) side-opening storage containers (the "Containers") for his business. A site plan, narrative, container specifications, and a letter from neighboring properties have been submitted by the Applicant, and they are interested in getting some initial feedback from the Planning Commission prior to officially applying for an Interim Use Permit. These items are attached to this case.

The Applicant has noted that the containers would be managed and maintained by the business, and would like to utilize the containers for an extended period of time. The Applicant has started to outgrow their cold storage space inside and would like to utilize these containers for additional cold storage, to be accessed a few times a week, in order to remain in their current location.

Site Information
The Subject Property is approximately 2.1 acres, zoned E-1 Employment District, and consists of two separate parcels. The proposed location of the containers is near the southwest portion of the southern parcel, outlined on the attached site plan. There is a large layer of vegetative screening between Azurite St NW and the proposed location for the containers. The Applicant has provided a letter signed by his immediate neighbors addressing that they will not be affected by the addition of the containers. The containers are planned to be placed on Class V crushed concrete, which will be installed prior to moving them onsite.

Current Regulations
At this time, the City does not allow shipping containers or these large metal storage containers in lieu of an accessory building in any district. The request for these types of containers is becoming more and more common as the containers become more trendy and readily available. Staff is aware of at least one other request from an industrial-type user for these types of shipping containers, and has numerous requests from residents to allow these types of storage containers on residential properties.

Previous direction has been to improve the image of Ramsey and work with property owners throughout the City to incrementally improve properties. This property is one of the few remaining sites from Ramsey's original industrial park that saw significant investment to redevelop from metal panel buildings to the more modern designed buildings you see today. These containers do require upkeep and the metal containers are not an ideal architectural feature. However, Staff is empathetic to the recent economic downturn and wants to help a Ramsey business remain in their current location. Discussion should be limited to the use/application of these containers in industrial areas only; not within residential or retail areas. 

If approved, Staff does anticipate other, similar requests coming forward throughout the City.

Code Sections

• E-1 Section of Code, Chapter 117-117

Policy Questions:

• Does the Planning Commission want to amend City Code to allow metal shipping container type storage units in industrial areas?
• Would the Planning Commission be open to a 5 year interim use permit for the containers on this specific property? The Applicant has indicated their preference would that these containers are a permanent solution and fixture onsite.
  • What time period seems reasonable?
• What conditions would make the Application more favorable?
  • Screening (no removing of trees)
  • No other exterior storage?
  • No gravel onsite except under containers?
  • Abutting building and painted to match? (Reshetar in Anoka off Bunker Lake Blvd has one of these units behind their building that was painted to match, for reference)

Next Steps
No formal action is required at this time.  This case is for discussion purposes only and may help inform the Applicant as to whether to proceed with a formal application for an Interim Use Permit for the containers, and issues to address with any formal application.

This discussion item is being handled as part of Staff's normal duties.

Provide Applicant with any feedback, recommendations, and/or concerns related to the use of two storage containers for Ve-Ve Inc.

No formal action is necessary.  This is an opportunity to provide any feedback to the Applicant in advance of a potential formal application for an Interim Use Permit.