Introduce Ordinances #22-21 and #22-22 for Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association 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. 

At the June 23 Planning Commission meeting, it was discussed that the current COR regulations could possibly accommodate the proposed uses on the applicant's draft site plan.  COR zoning allows for health clubs and fitness centers along with medical clinics and restaurants.  Staff stated that the proposed use is more inline with a commercial recreational use since it will be much larger than a typical health club.  Also, the inflatable dome and positioning on the site are not conducive to COR design standards.  The adjacent E-3 uses to the northwest are larger buildings and the proposed uses will be in scale with those buildings.  

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. Introduce Ordinances #22-21 & #22-22 as recommended by the Planning Commission and staff.
2. Introduce Ordinances #22-21 & #22-22 with changes that the City Council 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.

At its meeting on June 23, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended 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: Motion to introduce Ordinance #22-21 Rezoning 14622 and 14650 Ferret Street Northwest from COR to E-3 Employment District; and

Motion 2: Motion to introduce 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.