Discussion:
Site Information:
Applicant: John Mesenbrink, Mesenbrink Construction
Property Address: 1465 Maras Street
Property Owner: Maras Street LLC
Lot Area: 22.86 Acres (two parcels, 5.38 acres & 17.48 acres)
Zoning: I-1, Light Industry
2040 Comp. Plan: Mixed Use Employment Center
John Mesenbrink, representing Maras Street LLC / Eugene Hansen (property owner), has applied for a conditional use permit for exterior storage at 1555 Maras Street. 1555 Maras Street is the address of the proposed building on the 1465 Maras Street property that the Planning Commission will be reviewing for an easement vacation request and a preliminary / final plat.
The applicant is proposing to construct a 12,000 square-foot building on this site and have a 1.73-acre exterior storage yard east of the proposed building for a future tenant that is a construction contractor. The proposed tenant intends to use the site for storage of vehicles and equipment associated with their construction business. The applicant has stated that the storage area will not be used for storage of semi-trucks. A draft condition has been added to the resolution to not permit semi-trucks and trailers not affiliated with tenants of the buildings on the site to be stored on the site.
City Code allows up to 50% of I-1, Light Industry zoned property to be used for exterior storage. The applicant has prepared an exhibit showing the amount of existing and proposed storage area on the site; which equals approximately 33% of the site.
The applicant is proposing to construct a berm and plant trees on a berm south of the storage area. There are also several significant existing trees that screen the areas to the south and east of the site, as well as a fence east of the proposed storage area. A condition has been added that the proposed landscaping / screening on the site be maintained.
The Water Resources Engineer has commented that the proposed paved storage area may need to be adjusted in size and configuration to address stormwater requirements on the site. A draft condition has been added to resolution to reflect this possibility.