Public Hearing - Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association (KRH Land LLC/ISG Inc.) Rezoning and Zoning Code text amendment at 14622 and 14650 Ferret St. NW

Ms. Andrea Rand, of ISG Inc. on behalf of the Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association, is requesting a rezoning of approximately 12.88 acres of property in the first phase of a multi-step process of approvals needed for a mixed-use facility.  The site will be anchored by a large indoor athletic complex housing basketball courts and turf fields.  The site will also have a medical clinic specializing in sports medicine and physical therapy and a restaurant.  The site currently contains a wireless communications tower that will remain.  The property is currently zoned COR and is proposed to be zoned Employment District (E-3) to accommodate the various proposed uses within the site.  The site is adjacent to other E-3-zoned property to the northwest and guided Business Park in the Comprehensive Plan. 
 
Future phases of required approvals include a plat, easement vacations, site plan review, and a conditional use permit.  In order to complete ARAA’s obligation in its purchase agreement, only the rezoning needs to be approved since some of the intended uses are not permitted in its current zoning district. ARAA is still finalizing site layout.
 
The E-3 zoning district allows for the recreational use, restaurant, and communications tower, however, it does not accommodate medical clinics.  A Zoning Code text amendment is also being requested adding that use to the list of permitted uses within the district.  Since medical uses are often high-employment businesses, it appears to meet one of the goals of expanding employment base of the Comprehensive Plan. 
 

Staff mailed letters via standard US Mail notifying surrounding property owners within 350 feet of the subject properties.   A notice of the Public Hearing was also published in the Anoka County UnionHerald, the City's official newspaper.  

Alternatives to Consider:

1. Recommend approval of the rezoning and Zoning Code text amendment as recommended by staff.
2. Recommend approval of the rezoning and modifications to the Zoning Code text amendment that the Planning Commission deems appropriate to the request.
3. Deny the rezoning and Zoning Code text amendment based on certain findings.

All costs associated with this application are the responsibility of the applicant.

Staff recommends approval of Ordinances #22-21 for rezoning property from COR to E-3 and #22-22 for a text amendment adding Medical Clinics as a permitted use in the E-3 district.  

Two motions are requested:

Motion 1: Move to recommend approval of Ordinance #22-21 Rezoning 14622 and 14650 Ferret Street Northwest from COR to E-3 Employment District; and

Motion 2: Move to recommend approval of Ordinance #22-22 amending Section 117-124(b) of City Code to allow Medical Clinics as a permitted use in the E-3 Employment District.