MemoMEMORANDUM
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Brad Nielsen
DATE: 17 April 2006
RE: Zoning Ordinance — C-1 and C-3 Commercial Districts
FILE NO. 405 (Zoning Code — Part I11)
C-1, Neighborhood Commercial District
At our last meeting our discussion of conditional uses in the C-3 zoning district led to
additional discussion regarding the C-1 district. I had indicated that in previous
discussions staff had recommended that the C-1 district not be eliminated, despite the
minimal number of sites zoned that way, in order to keep it as more or less a "holding
zone" for the self -storage facility at 19545 State Highway 7. Since that meeting, I
have gone back to the Planning Commission minutes at which this matter was
discussed and found that the recommendation for the self -storage facility was actually
quite different. Specifically, is was suggested that the R-C, Residential/Commercial
District be amended to include self -storage facilities, by conditional use permit, with
conditions that would substantially limit such uses to specific locations (e.g. on
Highway 7). R-C would be a suitable zoning for the land currently zoned C-1 and
would allow the C-1 District to be eliminated.
The revision to the R-C District could be as simple as adding two provisions to those
now found in Section 1201.19 Subd. 4.c. (C-1 conditional uses: self -storage facilities)
of the Zoning Code: 1) the site on which the self -storage facility is located shall be a
minimum of two acres in size; and 2) the site on which the self -storage facility is
located shall be adjacent to a principal arterial, as designated in the Shorewood
Comprehensive Plan.
As discussed at the last meeting, there appears to be little or no use for the C-1
District, except for self -storage facilities. Staff does not recommend C-3 zoning for
Memorandum
Re: C-I and C-3 Zoning Districts
18 April 2006
the property at 19545 State Highway 7, due to its proximity to the Shady Hills
residential area.
R-C zoning of the property would allow a range of uses for the subject property, the
most likely being office space. It is worth noting that the amount of signage allowed
in the C-1 District is the same as the R-C District.
C-3, General Commercial District
If the Planning Commission is agreeable to the recommendation to eliminate the C-1
zoning district, further revamp of the C-3 becomes necessary to specifically list the
current C-1 uses in the C-3. Right now, C-1 uses are adopted into the C-3 by
reference.
Now for the item that triggered the discussion of the C- I District — convenience stores
with motor fuel facilities. The following is recommended to be added as a conditional
use in the C-3 District:
Convenience Store With Gasoline. Grocery with convenience gas (no vehicle service
or repair, provided that:
(1) Retail sales shall be limited to those allowed in this district (C-3).
(2) Take out food: Convenience/deli food is of the take-out type only and no
provision for seating or consumption on the premises is provided.
Furthermore, the enclosed area devoted to such activity, use and merchandise
shall not exceed 20 percent of the gross floor area.
(3) Litter control: The operation shall be responsible for litter control within 500
feet of the property line on a daily basis.
(4) Any outdoor sales, display or storage shall be subject to a separate
conditional use permit, as provided for in this Section.
(5) Hours of operation: The hours of operation shall be limited to between 6: 00
A.M. and midnight unless extended by the City Council.
(6) Motor fuel facilities shall be subject to a separate conditional use permit as
provided for in this Section.
Cc: Paula Callies
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