PUBLIC HEARING: Consider Ordinance #18-13; Amendment to City Code Chapter 117 (Zoning and Subdivision of Land) to add a Neighborhood Business District.

This case was heard by the Planning Commission in the summer of 2018. At the August 28, 2018 City Council Meeting where the case was to be introduced, the City Council directed Staff to host a public workshop, which was recently completed. Many of the same concerns were raised by the public. Staff recommends moving forward; however if potential liquor sales in a cafe are a broad enough concern, the City could remove that provision from the draft ordinance.

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 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 four permitted uses, four conditional uses and six 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. This case was also reviewed at a recent City Council Work Session.

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.  

Provided the City Council approves the ordinance, the zoning map will be amended at a later time.

Alternative #1. City Council adopt Ordinance #18-13. 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 #18-13. 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.

Staff recommends that the City Council adopt ordinance #18-13. The Planning Commission recommended the same in August, 2018. This is an opportunity to amend the recommendation based on updated feedback.

Motion to recommend that the City Council adopt Ordinance #18-13.