PUBLIC HEARING: Consider Resolution #19-209 Granting a Interim Use Permit to a Religious Institution at 6000 167th Avenue NW; Case of Hope Fellowship of Ramsey

The City has received an application from Hope Fellowship of Ramsey (the "Applicant") to operate a Religious Institution at 6000 167th Avenue NW (the "Subject Property"). The Subject Property is zoned B-1 Business District. Religious Institutions are allowed in this district with a Conditional Use Permit. The City previously granted an Interim Use Permit for the Religious Institution as the use was not yet allowed via Conditional Use Permit.

Notifications of this proposal were sent via Standard US Mail to Property Owners within 350 feet of the Subject Property, as reflected by Anoka County Property Records. A notice was also published in the Anoka Union Herald, the City's official newspaper, for the September 5, 2019 Planning Commission.

General
The Applicant sent in an application to renew their Interim Use Permit to Operate a Religious Institution, generally known as Hope Fellowship of Ramsey. The City now allows Religious Institutions via Conditional Use Permit in the B-1 District, so Staff has recommended a Conditional Use Permit for Hope Fellowship (see attached draft CUP).

Zoning
The Subject Property is zoned B-1 General Business District. The properties north of the Subject Property across 167th Avenue NW are zoned B-1 General Business District. The properties to the west and south are zoned R-1 Residential (Rural Developing) and the properties to the east across Highway 47/St. Francis Blvd. are zoned PUD. Hope Fellowship of Ramsey's interim use permit expired, so they need a Conditional Use Permit to continue operation.

Streets and Access
The Subject Property gains access off Highway 47/Saint Francis Blvd. and 167th Ave NW. The Applicant would utilize a shared parking lot that is also utilized by a few other businesses that also rent in the same building. The proposed use has been found to not adversely impact traffic in the area or the community at large. Staff has not had an issue with the number of parking stalls onsite.

Alternatives
Alternative 1: Recommend the City Council approve an Conditional Use Permit to continue the use on the Subject Property. The City has not had any major issues with the use onsite, nor complaints about the use. Staff supports this alternative.

Alternative 2: Recommend the City Council deny the permit request. This would leave a vacant storefront in the strip mall and force out a use that the City has not had complaints about. Staff does not support this alternative.

The Applicant is responsible for all costs associated with this request.

Staff recommends approving the request for an Conditional Use Permit to operate a Religious Institution on the Subject Property.

Motion to Recommend City Council adopt Resolution #19-209 granting an Conditional Use Permit to operate a Religious Institution on the Subject Property.