Adopt Resolution #15-08-206 Adopting Findings of Fact and Approving a Request for Waiver from City Code Paving Standards to Utilize a Class V Parking Surface on the Property Located at 13900 Sunfish Lake Blvd. NW; Case of Midwest Overhead Crane Corporation

Midwest Overhead Crane Corp. owns the property located at 13900 Sunfish Blvd and is requesting to utilize class V gravel rather than asphalt or concrete to construct an outside storage area for materials and products. They have stated that the use of certain heavier equipment likely would damage pavement, whereas a Class V surface would better withstand the wear and tear of heavy equipment and can more easily be repaired. The City has granted deviations from the surfacing requirement in the E-1 and E-2 Employment Districts in the past for this purpose.

Notification is not required for this request.

The property is located in the E-2 Employment District and open and outside storage as an accessory use is permitted provided that (1) storage area is surfaced with concrete or bituminous and (2) the use does not take up required parking spaces or loading area as required in Chapter 117 of City Code. The Class V aggregate area would be along portions of the south (rear), west and northwest of the property and would connect to the existing pavement at the main gate located at the north end of the property as outlined in the attached exhibit. Similar requests of this nature have been considered in the past in the Employment Districts, typically due to the potential use of heavier equipment.  The area would be screened or partially from McKinley Street either by the buildings or existing vegetation nearer the road. 

Based on the attached Site Plan, it appears that a portion of the Class V surfacing may encroach slightly into a Drainage and Utility Easement that encumbers the western portion of the property. Staff will continue to work with Midwest Crane to ensure that, if approved, the installation of Class V surfacing does not negatively affect or impact the easement.

The site is not located along the Highway 10 Corridor or located in a Business (retail) District. In those instances when located within a Business District, a different process and slightly different standards apply compared to this industrial district, where heavier equipment, significant outside storage, and differing surfacing requirements apply.

This request is being addressed as part of Staff's regular duties.

As previously noted, the City Council has considered similar requests in the past in the Employment Districts, due to the potential use of heavy equipment.  While the intent of the surfacing requirement is primarily for dust control and stormwater management, it is also for aesthetic purposes as well.  The proposed area would be screened or partially screened from view on McKinley Street by the building and existing vegetation and is located in an industrial park where these types of scenarios are most frequently seen. The parking surface is not visible from Highway 10. Considering the type of use occurring on the property and that the surfacing would be at least partially screened from view from McKinley Street, Staff believes this is a reasonable request.

Adopt Resolution #15-08-206 adopting Findings of Fact favorable to the Applicant and approving the request to utilize Class V gravel for additional outside storage area.