Adopt Resolution #20-281  #21-036 Approving an Interim Use Permit for Storage Containers for Ve-Ve Inc. (Project No. 20-136); Case of John Vevea on behalf of Ve-Ve Inc.

This request comes from business owner John Vevea of Ve-Ve Inc. The Applicant is requsting approval of an Interim Use Permit for 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, and this particular item was discussed at the November and December Planning Commission meetings.

The City attempted to notify Property Owners of the Public Hearing at the Planning Commission, as reflected in the Anoka County Property Records, within 350 feet of the Subject Property of the request.

Notification is not required for this step.

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 seeking approval for the placement and use of the containers. 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, at least five (5) years. 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 is currently installed in the proposed area.

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

Code Sections

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

All costs associated with this request are the responsibility of the Applicant.

The Planning Commission recommends approving Resolution #20-281 #21-036 for an Interim Use Permit for two storage containers on the Subject Property.

Motion to adopt Resolution #20-281 #21-036 Approving an Interim Use Permit for two storage containers on the Subject Property.