Adopt Ordinance #26-06, Approving a Zoning Map Amendment from I-1, Light Industrial to I-2, General Industrial, for 14021 Azurite St NW, 14021 Basalt St NW, and 14050 Basalt St NW; Case of ACE Solid Waste

ACE Solid Waste (the "Applicant") has operated their facility in Ramsey for several years and is a growing business. In order to accommodate their growth, the company needs additional parking spaces for its trucks. They recently acquired an adjacent property at 14021 Basalt Street NW with the intent of removing the building and expanding the truck parking lot into this area. The parking lot expansion is administrative in nature, but the process to combine that parcel has three components that require public review.

Additionally, the Applicant leases property across Azurite Street to the east for trash container maintenance that requires additional outdoor storage than what is currently allowed by the I-1 zoning. 

Therefore, the City has received an application from the Applicant for a Right-of-Way Vacation, Final Plat, and a Zoning Map Amendment from I-1, Light Industrial, to I-2, General Industrial, on the properties currently addressed as 14021 and 14050 Basalt Street NW. The Applicant is also requesting a Zoning Map Amendment from I-1 to I-2 on the property at 14021 Azurite Street NW.  The rezoning public hearing was held at the Planning Commission. The City Council approved two of these components (Right-of-Way Vacation of a portion of Basalt Street NW, and a Final Plat of "Ace Second Addition") at their May 12th meeting.

Staff attempted to notify property owners within 350 feet of the Subject Property, as reflected in the Anoka County Property Records, of the request and the Public Hearings to be held by the Planning Commission and City Council. Notices of the Public Hearings were published in the Anoka County Union Herald, the City's official newspaper. Proposed development signs were placed on each property.  The private utility companies were emailed directly and several replied with comments that were attached to the case on the May 12th City Council agenda.

Alternatives
Alternative 1: Approve the Zoning Map Amendment, as requested by the Applicant, as introduced by the City Council, and as recommended by Planning Commission and Staff.
Alternative 2: Deny the Zoning Map Amendment, based on supporting findings of fact.

All costs associated with this request are the Applicant's responsibility.

At their regular meeting on April 23, 2026, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Zoning Map Amendment. Furthermore, at their regular meeting on May 12, 2026, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the Right-of-Way Vacation and Final Plat associated with this project, and also voted unanimously to introduce Ordinance #26-06.