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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8D - Churches in C-1 District ..... STAFF AGENDA REPORT DATE: 8D JANE KANSIER, PLANNING COORDINA T050 11;;l DONALD R. RYE, PLANNING DIRECTOR ~/qc CONSIDER APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE 96-21 AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND CITY CODE TO ALLOW CHURCHES AND DAY CARE FACILITIES IN THE C-1 (CONSERVATION) DISTRICT SEPTEMBER 3,1996 AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: REVIEWED BY: SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this item is to consider approval of Ordinance 96-21 amending the Zoning Ordinance and City Code to allow churches and day care facilities in the C-1 (Conservation> district. BACKGROUND: The Planning staff recently fielded a question about locating a day care facility in the Lutheran church on Five Hawks Avenue. Upon researching this issue, the staff discovered that this church is zoned C-1. Further review of the Zoning Ordinance revealed that churches and day care facilities are not a permitted or a conditional use in this district. The result of this discovery is that the two churches in the City located in the C-1 district are non- conforming uses. This request has been initiated by the staff in the interest of correcting an apparent oversight in the ordinance. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on this amendment on August 12, 1996. The Planning Commission recommended approval of this amendment. A copy of the Planning Commission minutes are attached to this report. DISCUSSION: The C-1 District was established to lire cognize vital environmental resources of the community as steep slopes, wetlands and unstable soil conditions and allow development only after careful analysis." The application of this district in the City has been inconsistent with the stated objectives of the district. The C-1 district includes, in 16200 l!n~~h~t~~~ Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax fEft~h7-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER -,.. ALTERNATIVES: RECOMMENDA TION: ACTION REQUIRED: REPORT ATTACHMENTS: churchcc.doc addition to the above,street and highway right-of-way, schools, churches and some parks, in addition to wetland and slope areas. Normally, zoning ordinances are amended when there has been a significant change in conditions, there has been a Comprehensive Plan amendment or there was a mistake in the original zoning. In this case, staff is of the opinion that a mistake was made in including churches in a C-1 District without making them a permitted use. In both cases, the site of the church does not display characteristics which would comport with the stated purpose of the C-1 District and there does not appear to be any other circumstances which would warrant such inclusion. 1. Adopt Ordinance 96-21 as recommended by the Planning Commission. 2. Remove consideration of Ordinance 96-21 from the consent agenda for further discussion. 3. In the event Alternative. #2 is chosen, discussion may be continued in order for staff to provide additional information as directed by the City Council. 4. Deny Ordinance 96-21 which would continue the status of the two churches in the C-1 district as non- conforming uses. Adopt Alternative #1. A motion as part of the consent agenda to adopt Ordinance 96-21. 1. Planning Report dated August 12, 1996 2. Minutes of August 12, 1996, Planning Commission Meeting 3. Or lance PAGE 2 CITY OF PRIOR LAKE ORDINANCE NO. 96-21 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 5-3-3 OF THE PRIOR LAKE CITY CODE AND AMENDING SECTION 3.2 OF THE PRIOR LAKE ZONING ORDINANCE 83-6 The City Council of the City of Prior Lake does hereby ordain: Section 5-3-3 of the Prior Lake City Code and Section 3.2 of the Prior Lake Zoning Ordinance 83-6 are hereby amended as follows: In the listing of permitted uses under C-1 Conservation, insert the following: 14. Churches 15. Day Care Centers This ordinance shall become effective from and after its passage and publication. Passed by the City Council of the City of Prior Lake this 3rd day of September, 1996. ATTEST: City Manager Mayor Published in the Prior Lake American on the _ day of , 1996. Drafted By: Prior Lake Planning Department 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 ord9621.doc 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AGENDA ITEM: SUBJECT: SITE: PRESENTER: PUBLIC HEARING: DATE: PLANNING REPORT 4D CONSIDER AMENDMENT TO ZONING ORDINANCE TO PERMIT CHURCHES AND DAY CARE FACILITIES IN THE C-l, CONSERVATION DISTRICT N/A nfJ.O DONALD RYE, PLANNING DIRECTOR--U'~ _X_ YES _NO-N/A AUGUST 12, 1996 INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this request is to consider an amendment to the zoning ordinance which will allow churches and day care facilities in the C-l, Conservation District. BACKGROUND: Several weeks ago, staff received a call from the Department of Human Services inquiring whether the Lutheran church located at Five Hawks Avenue and Highway 13 was properly zoned to permit a nursery school- daycare facility. In reviewing the ordinance, it was determined that the site is located in the C-l, Conservation District. It was also discovered that, not only is day care not permitted in the C-I district, neither are churches. This means that the two churches in the City currently within the C-l district are non-conforming uses and are subject to the non- conforming provisions of the ordinance. DISCUSSION: The C-I District was established to " recognize vital environmental resources of the community as steep slopes, wetlands and unstable soil conditions and allow development only after careful analysis." The application of this district in the City has been inconsistent with the stated objectives of the district. The C-l district covers street and highway right-of-way, schools, churches and some parks, in addition to wetland and slope areas. Some time ago, serious consideration was given to eliminating the C-l District altogether because there have been ordinance provisions added which address the concerns' for which the C-l District was originally established. It is likely that this will be accomplished in the new zoning ordinance. For the present, however, the current provisions of the ordinance must be applied. Normally, zoning ordinances are amended when there has been a significant change in conditions, there has been a Comprehensive Plan amendment or there was a mistake in 16200 ~Jgy~~~~~e. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER the original zoning. In this case, staff is of the opinion that a mistake was made in including churches in a C-I District without making them a permitted use. In both cases, the site of the church does not display characteristics which would justify its' inclusion in the C-l District and there does not appear to be any other circumstances which would warrant such inclusion. This request has been initiated by staff in the interest of correcting an apparent error in the ordinance. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Recommend approval of the amendment to allow churches and day care facilities in the C-l, Conservation zoning district 2. Recommend denial of the amendment 3. Continue the case for specific reasons RECOMMENDATION: Alternative 1 ACTION REQUIRED: Motion and second to recommend approval of the attached ordinance amendment 812964D.DOCIDR 2 D. Case 96-061 - Consider Amendment to Zoning Ordinance to permit churches and day care facilities in the C-l, Conservation District. The hearing was called to order at 8: 47 p.m. and a sign-up sheet was circulated to the public in attendance. Jane Kansier presented the information from the Staff Report dated August 12, 1996. This request was initiated by staff in the interest of correcting an apparent error in the ordinance. Staff recommended approval of the amendment. Leanne Weyrauch, 16457 Five Hawks Avenue, stated she needs more information on the subject and suggested including early childhood, family education and pre-school facilities in the proposed amendment. Comments from Commissioners: V onhof: . Parochial schools are permitted in the C 1 District but not churches. . Agrees to include and cover all the uses. Kuykendall: . Questioned the role of the churches related to private enterprise and what can be allowed. . As presented, he is not opposed. Wuellner: . The intent is to change the zoning ordinance in the near future. . Kansier stated the intent is to look at the entire ordinance within the next year. . The City does not want to piece meal the ordinance. Stamson: . It is a band aid issue until we can fix it later. . Concurs with staff. Criego: . Need to specify what happens in the church? . Jane responded schools are permitted in the district and daycare and pre-school will fit into the ordinance. MOTION BY VONHOF, SECOND BY WUELLNER, TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE 96-xx TO ALLOW CHURCHES IN A C-1 CONSERVATION ZONING DISTRICT. V ote taken signified ayes by V onhof, Kuykendall, Stamson, Wuellner and Criego. MOTION CARRIED. The public hearing was closed. MN081296.DOC PAGE 6