Introduce Ordinance #18-04 Establishing E-3 Employment Zoning District

The purpose of this case is to consider the establishment of a new employment zoning district within the City of Ramsey.  This zoning district correlates to the City's new business park located generally west of Armstrong Boulevard and north and south of Bunker Lake Boulevard.

Note: the Comprehensive Plan Amendment has now been approved by the Metropolitan Council. Additionally, uses proposed in buildings currently being constructed are proposing uses in the existing underlying zoning district (indoor commercial recreation). This use is intended to carry over to the new zoning district in addition to the traditional business park uses (this same scenario is allowed in the City's existing business parks).

A public hearing is required and was held at the December 7, 2017 Planning Commission meeting and the appropriate notice was issued.

At its December 7th, 2017 meeting the Planning Commission recommended approval of the E-3 Zoning District with the inclusion -that it be stated that screening is required for any open and outdoor storage.  Staff has included that language in Ordinance #18-04.

Alternatives

Alternative 1: Recommend approval of Ordinance #18-04 Establishing the E-3 Employment District as proposed.  The E-3 Employment District is modeled after the E-2 Employment District with more stringent governance over outdoor storage.  Staff supports this alternative.

Alternative 2: Table Ordinance #18-04 Establishing the E-3 Employment District as proposed.  If the City Council feels that additional work is necessary in refining the proposed language for the E-3 Employment District it should direct staff to specific areas it would like to see refined.  Staff is not opposed to this alternative.

Alternative 3: Recommend denial of Ordinance #18-04 Establishing the E-3 Employment District.  The E-3 Employment District is being established for the City's new Industrial Park.  Staff does not support this alternative.

Costs associated with this request are the responsibility of the City.

The Planning Commission recommends adoption of Ordinance #18-04 establishing the proposed E-3 zoning district within the City of Ramsey. The E-3 District is intended to govern general industrial and commercial activity within the City's new Industrial Park.

Motion to introduce Ordinance #18-04 Establishing the E-3 Employment District within the City of Ramsey.