Introduce Ordinance #19-05; Amendment to City Code Chapter 117 (Zoning and Subdivision of Land) to add a Neighborhood Business District.

In 2016, following the Public Hearing regarding the property located at 6139 157 Lane NW, Staff was instructed to create a new zoning district within the City of Ramsey for the purposes of commercial property located near or adjacent to residential properties. Primarily, this Zoning District is needed to correct a previous zoning action (improper use of a conditional use permit). This case simply creates the tool. It does not give any additional rights to the property referenced above. This step will allow a tool to be utilized in strategic locations following the completion of the Comprehensive Plan Update. A separate case this evening is prepared for the property referenced above to officially change the Zoning District to this new district. Similarily, it does not give the property any additional right other than what was approved previously. It simply creates a conforming zoning situation where the City applied an incorrect tool in the past.

This zoning district did not move forward in 2016 and staff has been directed to bring the case back to the Planning Commission as a discussion item. This proposed zoning district is slightly more restrictive than the current B-1 district and would not occur along Highways 47 or 10. The intent of this ordinance is truly small-scale, neighborhood-scale commercial uses. The intent is not to allow higher intensity uses most commonly found along highway corridors. This district can be a valuable tool moving forward as the City attempts to accomplish comprehensive plan goals to provide a mix of uses focused on neighborhoods. For example, another potenital area for this zoning district could be used would be near the new elementary school (not proposed at this time).
 
Staff drafted a proposed zoning district which includes permitted uses, conditional uses and prohibited uses. Following the feedback previous Planning Commission meetings, Staff has moved on-sale liquor to a conditional use and added the sales of tobacco, tobacco products or tobacco related devices to the prohibited uses, but now with additional restrictions.

During recent review at the end of 2018 and into early 2019, the ordinance has been amended to restrict the hours of operation and eliminate the possibility of the use of outdoor speakers to address concerns of the neighborhood.

Staff published the Notice of Public Hearing in the Anoka County UnionHerald. City Staff also attempted to notify all property owners within 350 feet of 6139 157th Lane NW, of the request by U.S. Mail.

Permitted uses in the new Neighborhood Business District include: administrative and business offices, personal or professional services, restaurants and cafes, and day care centers.  Potential conditional uses include: expansion or enlargement of lawful nonconforming uses, animal clinics, medical clinics, and on-sale liquor. Prohibited uses include: Motor vehicle sales or repair, retail operations with drive through, gas stations,  off-sale liquor.

The permitted accessory uses as well as the bulk standards are generally the same as the B-1 General Business District, and include regulations regarding setbacks, off-street parking, landscaping, and building materials.  

Alternative #1. City Council adopt Ordinance #19-05. This would update the Zoning Code to include a new district called the Neighborhood Business District. Staff supports this alternative.

Alternative #2. City Council denies Ordinance #19-05. This would leave the Zoning Code as-is and would not create a Neighborhood Business District. This alternative would leave the property at 6139 157 Lane NW in illegal non-conforming status.  Staff does not support this alternative.

Alternative #3. Table the ordinance amendment in order to have Staff research additional topics or draft ordinance amendments. Staff would support this alternative if there was specific language or other case studies the City felt necessary to review before making a reccomendation.

The Planning Commission recommends that the City Council adopt ordinance #19-05 with the revisions included in the attached draft (limit on hours of operation and outdoor speakers). The Planning Commission did take into account feedback from the community and amended their original recommendation.

Motion to introduce Ordinance #19-05.

(If introduced, final adoption of the Ordinance will follow at a subsequent meeting)