Adopt Ordinance #15-14 Approving a Zoning Amendment for 14100 Sunfish Lake Blvd. NW; Case of Life Fitness

The purpose of this case is to consider a Zoning Amendment from B-1 General Business District to E-1 Employment District. The City Council has already approved the required Comprehensive Plan Amendment associated with this request.

The City has been approached by a potential buyer, Life Fitness, for the parcel commonly known as the former Health Quest site. The Buyer is proposing a use allowable under the E-1 Employment District. Life Fitness has submitted a request to the City under the City's Business Subsidy Policy, which would require the Planning Commission to adopt a resolution finding that the proposed use is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. In order to pass said resolution, an amendment to the City's Comprehensive Plan is necessary. The City's Zoning Code/Official Zoning Map must be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, so a parallel request for a Zoning Amendment is also included.

The Planning Commission held a Public Hearing on August 6, 2015. The Public Hearing Notice was advertised in the Anoka County UnionHerald. Additionally, Staff attempted to notify all Property Owners within 350 feet of the Subject Property.

Observations

This amendment will actually revert the Land Use Map and Zoning District back to the original, pre-2007 designations. In 2007, the City received and approved a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Zoning Amendment, and Site Plan for a multi-tenant retail redevelopment of the former Health Quest site. However, said redevelopment never materialized and the site went into foreclosure.

A new perspective buyer has approached the City to discuss an amendment to revert back to the original Zoning District. The proposed future manufacturing and warehouse building appears to be compatible with the surrounding uses, which are predominantly employment based with the exception of Casey's General Store. The current owner, First National Bank, is supportive of this change and feels that this is in line with the current market, regardless if there had been a current buyer.

Regarding the proposed future land use, the positive would be a potentially more immediate redevelopment of a site that has sat vacant for approximately ten (10) years. The negative of the proposed amendment could be larger, albeit fewer, truck traffic movements on two (2) County Roads.

Regarding the future land use as currently shown, the positives would be a higher per square foot tax base. The negatives would be additional comparable traffic and conflict points on two (2) county roads.

Alternatives

Alternative 1: Approve the amendments as presented. This will allow for the redevelopment of the parcel in a manner consistent with the abutting properties.

Alternative 2: Do not approve the amendments. This will mean that the City finds that a retail use is the most compatible use for the parcel and that the Property Owner will need to continue to pursue a retail user.

The amendment is being handled as part of normal Staff duties.

The Planning Commission recommends that the City Council adopt Ordinance #15-14.

Motion to waive the City Charter requirement to read the ordinance aloud and adopt Ordinance #15-14 approving a Zoning Amendment for 14100 Sunfish Lake Blvd. NW.

Roll Call Vote:

Councilmember Johns
Councilmember Kuzma
Councilmember LeTourneau
Councilmember Williams
Councilmember Shryock
Councilmember Riley
Mayor Strommen