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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8C - Downtown Development AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: SUBJECT: DATE: BACKGROUND: DISCUSSION: ISSUES: STAFF AGENDA REPORT 8C DONALD RYE, PLANNING DIRECTOR CONSIDER APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE 98-XX EXTENDING THE MORATORIUM ON DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT MARCH 2, 1998 In September of 1997, the City Council adopted Ordinance 97 -16 which placed a moratorium on the issuance of building permits in Municipal Development District No. 1 until March 20, 1998. The purpose of the moratorium was to allow the Downtown Steering Committee time to complete its study of the Downtown area and make recommendations to the City Council for an appropriate course of action by the City toward Downtown redevelopment activities. The Steering Committee was originally scheduled to complete its activities by the end of February, 1998. The Committee is still working on its final recommendations and will not be completed until after the current expiration of the moratorium on March 20. Also, because it is anticipated that the new zoning ordinance will not be adopted and in effect until this summer, the Council should consider an extension of the moratorium for a sufficient period of time to allow the Steering Committee to complete its work and to have the new zoning ordinance in place. Staff is of the opinion that an additional six months would provide adequate time for these events to occur. The extension can be worded so that it will expire sooner if the zoning ordinance is adopted before the additional six months are up. During the preceding six months, staff received one complaint about the moratorium when a building permit was not issued to the V.F.W. for reconstruction of the marquee on the front of the building. In this case, staff was also concerned that the marquee appeared to be encroaching on the right-of-way of Main Street. No other complaints have been received. The moratorium was adopted to preclude development which DNTNMORA,DOC 1 16200 E6We Creek Ave, S,E" Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph, (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER might interfere with the achievement of City goals for the redevelopment of the Downtown area. If the Council feels that the proposed extension is appropriate, the extension should be approved. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Approve the time extension for the moratorium. 2. Deny the extension and allow the moratorium to expire on March 20. 3. Continue consideration of the extension for specified reasons. RECOMMENDATION: Alternative 1 ACTION REQUIRED: DNTNMORA,DOC DR 2 CITY OF PRIOR LAKE ORDINANCE NO. 98-XX AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 97-16 BY EXTENDING THE DURATION OF THE MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF BUILDING PERMITS IN MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO.1 The City Council ofthe City of Prior Lake does hereby ordain: SECTION 1- BACKGROUND 1. On September 15, 1997, the City Council adopted Ordinance 97-16, an interim ordinance placing temporary restrictions on the issuance of building permits in Downtown DeveIopment District No.1. 2. Ordinance 97-16 is scheduled to expire on March 21, 1998 unless extended by the City Council. 3. Ordinance 97-16 was adopted to allow time for a study of redevelopment options and formulation of recommendations to the City Council by the Downtown Steering Committee. 4. Ordinance 97-16 was also adopted to allow time for the appropriate recommendations to be incorporated into the proposed new zoning ordinance. 5. The Downtown Steering Committee was scheduled to complete its work by the end of February, 1998 but has not yet done so. 6. The tentative time schedule for review and adoption of the zoning ordinance by the City Council contemplates that the ordinance will not be adopted until June of 1998. SECTION 2. FINDINGS The City Council finds the following: 1. There is a need to extend the duration of the moratorium on the issuance of building permits in Downtown Development District No. 1 to allow the Downtown Steering Committee sufficient time to complete its recommendations to the City Council and to make any desired changes in the proposed zoning ordinance prior to its adoption. 2. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 462.355, Subd. 4, an extension of the moratorium for 6 months to September 21, 1998 is adequate to protect the planning process. 3. All other provisions of ordinance 97-16 should remain in full force and effect. MORAORD,DOC 16200 ~!!le Creek Ave, S,E" Prior Lake. Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph, (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER SECTION 3. AMENDMENT SECTION 6. Duration is hereby amended to read as follows: This ordinance shall remain in effect until September 21, 1998, or until such time as a new zoning ordinance is adopted or this ordinance is revoked or otherwise amended. SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE This ordinance shall take effect the day after the date of publication. Passed by the City Council ofthe City of Prior Lake this 2nd day of March, 1998. ATTEST: City Manager Mayor Published in the Prior Lake American on March 7, 1998 Drafted by: City of Prior Lake Planning Department 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. Prior Lake, MN. 55372 MORAORD,DOC DR