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Home My WebLink About1977 09-16 MEMORANDUM TO: Southwest Neighborhood Advisory Group Charles Gellerman, Chairman 3853 Oak St. W. 537 -4314 John Larson 5107 E. Twin Lake Blvd. 537 -0547 Herb Karsten 5607 Indiana Ave. N. 533 -6831 Yvonne Quady 4725 Twin Lake Ave. 533 -1229 Dean Hill 3907 France Place 537 -1676 Leo Hanson 4903 Brooklyn Blvd. 535 -3359 Virgil Linn 3112 49th Ave. N. 535 -3826 FROM: Blair Tremere, Planning Commission Secretary DATE: September 16, 1977 SUBJECT: Applications No. 77037 and No. 77038 submitted by Howe, Inc. . The Planning Commission considered these applications, for rezoning and for site and building plan approval, at a public hearing on Aug- ust 2S, 1977. They were tabled for further review and consideration by your group. Your written comments and recommendations should be submitted on or before October 7, 1977 The Group may meet at its convenience; however, the meeting must be at a public place and must be scheduled in advance. Should you de- sire to use City Hall facilities, please contact me so I can reserve a room. It is important that the time and place are publicized in advance of the meeting. Enclosed are a variety of materials for your information, including minutes of the Commission meeting. You will note the Commission ask- ed the applicant to provide certain data. Enclosed is a copy of the applicant's response. A consideration basic to the rezoning and building proposals is the 1966 Comprehensive Plan recommendation that, while the existing plant should be recognized, further "expansion of the operation" should be prohibited. A key determination is whether the proposals constitute an "expansion of the operation" or an upgrading of the existing fa- cility. Another key determination is whether the construction and site improve ments represent benefits, to the immediate neighborhood and to the com- munity, which warrant the new construction and use of additional land. The proposed work would generally bring the site into compliance with current ordinance requirements -- many of which were not in force when Howe, Inc. was established. r I l i • Page Z September 16, 1977 SUBJECT: Applications No. 77037 and No. 77038 submitted by Howe, Inc. Finally, we would suggest that the group inspect the site, and in that regard, we have asked the applicant whether a tour of the operation could be arranged. lie has stated this would be possible, at the Group's convenience. Please contact me if you would be interested, and I will coordinate the tour. Please contact me or Commission Chairman, Cecelia Scott if you need additional information or assistance. Thank you for your help. Blair Tremere BT /kkb cc: File Chairman Scott Enclosures August 16, 1977 Dear Property Owners: You recently were sent official notice of a public hearing on August 25, 1977 re- garding a rezoning petition submitted by Howe, Inc. This letter and the attached map�will provide additional background information about the request which has stimulated several inquiries from neighbors to this office. The petitioner has developed plans for the construction of a new building on the north side of the existing site; an addition on the west end of the south building; and the demolition of the former "potato shed" with construction of a new building southerly of the office and east of the middle building. The plans also indicate an upgrading of the present site with paving, landscaping and fencing. There are several noncomplying features of the present site; a major one being the lack of buffer zones or greenstrips which are required by the present ordinance vrherever industrial uses abut residential uses. The minimum buffer zones, which were not required when Howe, Inc. was founded, are: 50 ft. adjacent to 49th Avenue North and 100 ft. on the west. The ordinance requires these areas to be planted and maintained as greenstrips; it requires as approved opaque wall or fence for screening; and it prohibits the use of these areas for parking, driving, or storage. Howe, Inc. owns the two residential properties to the west of the present site (see • map), and proposes to rezone them and to incorporate them into the site (removing the houses) in order to provide the 100 ft. buffer zone on the west. There are two separate applications before the Planning Commission, rezoning - for which the hearing is scheduled - and site and building plan approval - which is subject to approval of the rezoning. One of the basic issues before the Planning Commission, regarding the rezoning, is a necessary amendment to the Comprehensive Plan which was adopted in 1966 and which is the basis for the current zoning. The Plan states, as a planning guideline: Recognize the existing fertilizer plant and other non - residential uses located just off Osseo Road next to the Soo Line Railroad, but prohibit any further expansion of their operations. If at all feasible, the eventual relocation of these uses to more com- patible sites should be undertaken thereby permitting a rounding out of the existing residential area. The Plan must be amended in order for the rezoning to be approved and for the pro- posed site and building plans to be approved. The Planning Commission may recommend, and the City Council may approve such amend- ments to the Plan as deemed appropriate for the neighborhood and for the community. Elements considered include the applicant's proposal; input from neighboring prop- erty owners; input from the Southwest Neighborhood Advisory Group; input from the City staff; and sound planning principles. Property Owners Page 2 August 16, 1977 • The Planning Commission's procedure on all zoning matters is to table the application following the public hearing, and to refer the matter to the Neighborhood Advisory Group, which consists of citizens from the Southwest area who periodically meet to advise the Commission on planning items. Interested parties may express themselves at the public hearing and /or in writing. Written comments should be submitted to this office. Notices of all Planning Commis- sion and City Council meetings regarding this matter will be sent to property owners within 350 ft. of the subject property, as specified by law. Questions regarding this matter should be directed to this office. Sincerely Blair Tremere Director of Planning and Inspection and Planning Commission Secretary BT:mlg Enclosure • w S i Cal •� V w !A1 �Q c' ��`� I � w w v 1 L c CIO 1 U �, w . i 7 iL LO Il icIl y ve r; z, w � O y130 C/ ?O2 4/9/2 j i y 9y 1450 C4 V o � y901 49u 149z1 9 9 21 '�{93)9y _s 5;y953 f} N 4400 �19ab �19,Zo y `}, f 9.28 y938 494ty 4 °O o t - � I 33 ,�q31 J `1951 Oil \ aq vA , 1 ►�w � C'TY o C i t> y 1 N f_ R OT ' % fy o i 1 � \