Discuss the Zoning Code update pertaining to business districts.

The City's Zoning Code has never had a major overhaul.  As various issues and proposals have come up throughout the years, the Zoning Code has been updated as a response.  This has left the Code inconsistent in many areas, especially with uses, their definitions, and their respective districts.  Additionally, state law requires a community to update its Zoning Code following a Comprehensive Plan cycle to ensure consistency.  

In June, Planning Commission members brainstormed a list of topics that members would like to discuss more in detail.  We will present items as time warrants over the next few months.  Tonight, we will examine the business land use and zoning categories.  The purpose statement for each of the zoning districts in the Zoning Code should be an extension of those categories as the Zoning Code is the tool that is used to implement the Comprehensive Plan.  Attached to this report is a side-by-side comparison of the Comprehensive Plan Land Use categories and the various Zoning Code zoning districts aligned the best they can be. 

Also attached is a draft of the various proposed zoning districts and combined use tables for primary, accessory, and temporary/seasonal uses.  

None required at this time.  When ready, a public hearing will be noticed for the proposed new Zoning Code.

This discussion follows up from the discussion on September 27.  At that meeting, we discussed the relationship between the Comprehensive Plan and the various zoning districts.  Zoning is the tool that is used to implement the Comprehensive Plan.  Direction was given that there should be a neighborhood-based business district where uses are good neighbors to residential uses and is walkable and connected to the neighborhood.  Staff took this direction and is proposing five business districts--three business "B" districts that scale in intensity from neighborhood/walkable businesses, to community-based businesses, and to community/regional-based businesses as well as two industrial "I" districts that are differentiated by low impact/low outdoor needs and higher impact/greater outdoor needs.  Staff also prepared a draft table of the existing uses listed in the current Zoning Code and how they could be applied in the proposed districts. Additional uses were added as well.

The proposed table also lists staff's suggested classification of uses: permitted, conditional, or not permitted.  A permitted use is one by right.  A conditional use is still a permitted use, though one that reasonable conditions can be added so that it is a better neighbor.  A use not permitted is one that cannot operate in that district, even by variance or conditional use permit.  For the permitted and conditional uses, performance standards can be created.  These are essentially standard conditions applicable to that use type.  Many conditional uses tend to have the same conditions, so requiring a conditional use permit is not really site specific.  Having performance standards sends a clear, transparent, and understandable message of what the expectations are for that business type.    

Tonight's discussion will include the following:
1. Are the proposed districts sufficient and will they meet the needs of Ramsey?
2. Is the proposed distribution of uses reflective of those districts?  Are there other use categories that should be added?
3. What performance standards (general conditions) should be added to these uses?

Please note that the mixed use districts are not being discussed directly tonight.  These districts are mainly the COR and one other district south of Highway 10 currently.  Mixed use districts will be a future discussion.

This review is being done through staff's normal course of duties.

Staff is proposing these zoning districts.  Please provide feedback on the proposal.  

Please provide direction on the proposed districts, use assignments, and performance standards.