(A) Request for chapter amendments or conditional use permits, as provided within this chapter, shall be filed with the Zoning Administrator on an official application form. The application shall also be accompanied by complimentary copies of detailed written and graphic materials fully explaining the proposed change, development, or use. The Zoning Administrator shall refer the application, along with all related information, to the city Planning Commission for consideration and a report at least 15 days before the next regular meeting.
(B) The Zoning Administrator, on behalf of the Planning Commission, shall set a date for a public hearing. Notice of the hearing shall be posted as provided by state law at least ten days prior to the date of the hearing. For conditional use permits and for amendments, notice shall be mailed not less than ten days prior to all property owners of record according to the county assessment records, within 350 feet of the property to which the request relates. A copy of the notice and a list of the property owners and addresses to which the notice was sent shall be attested to by the Zoning Administrator and made part of the official record. The failure to give mailed notice to individual property owners, or defects in the notice, shall not invalidate the proceedings, provided a bona fide attempt to comply with this division has been made.
(C) The Planning Commission shall consider the request and hold a public hearing at its next regular meeting unless the filing date falls within 15 days of that meeting, in which case the request would be placed on the agenda and considered at the regular meeting following the next regular meeting. The Zoning Administrator shall refer the application, along with all related information, to the Planning Commission for consideration. The applicant or a representative thereof shall appear before the Planning Commission in order to answer questions concerning the proposed amendment or conditional use.
(D) The Planning Commission shall consider possible adverse affects of the proposed amendment or conditional use. Its judgment shall be based upon, but not limited to, the following factors:
(1) Relationship to the city’s growth management system/Comprehensive Plan;
(2) The geographical area involved;
(3) Whether the use will tend to or actually depreciate the area in which it is proposed;
(4) The character of the surrounding area; and
(5) The demonstrated need for the use.
(E) The Planning Commission, City Council, and city staff shall have the authority to request additional information from the applicant concerning operational factors, this information to be declared necessary to establish performance conditions in relation to all pertinent sections of this chapter.
(F) The Planning Commission shall make a finding of fact and recommend actions or conditions, including explanations of any negative votes, relating to the request to the City Council.
(G) For all conditional uses, the following conditions shall be met:
(1) The land area and setback requirements of the property containing the use or activity shall be the minimum established for the district.
(2) Where applicable, all city, state, and federal laws, regulations, and ordinances shall be complied with and all necessary permits secured.
(3) Adequate off-street parking and loading shall be provided in accordance with §§ 156.075 et seq. This parking and loading shall be screened and landscaped from abutting residential uses in compliance with this subchapter.
(4) The proposed water, sewer, and other utilities shall be capable of accommodating the proposed use.
(5) The street serving the proposed use or activity shall be of sufficient design to accommodate the proposed use or activity, and the use or activity shall not generate such additional extra traffic to create a nuisance or hazard to existing traffic or to surrounding land uses.
(6) All access roads, driveways, parking areas, and outside storage, service, or sales areas shall be surfaced or grassed to control dust and drainage.
(7) All open and outdoor storage, sales, and service areas shall be screened from view from the public streets and from abutting residential uses or districts.
(8) All lighting shall be designed as to have no direct source of light visible from adjacent residential areas or from the public streets.
(9) The use or activity shall be properly drained to control surface water runoff.
(10) The architectural appearance and functional plan of the building and site shall not be so dissimilar to the existing buildings or area as to cause impairment in property values or constitute a blighting influence.
(11) Where structures combine residential and non-residential uses, these uses shall be separated and provided with individual outside access, and the uses shall not conflict in any manner.
(H) Upon receiving the report and recommendation of the Planning Commission, the City Council shall place the application and/or report and recommendation on the agenda for the next regular meeting. The reports and recommendations shall be entered in and made part of the permanent written record of the City Council meeting.
(I) Upon reviewing the application and/or receiving the report and recommendation of the Planning Commission, the City Council shall take one of the following actions within the time frame established by M.S. § 15.99, as it may be amended from time to time:
(1) Approve or disapprove the request as recommended by the Planning Commission;
(2) Approve or disapprove the recommendation of the Planning Commission with modifications, alterations, or differing conditions. These modifications, alterations, or differing conditions shall be in writing and made part of the Council’s records; or
(3) Refer the recommendation back to the Planning Commission for future consideration. This procedure shall be followed only one time on a singular action.
(J) The amendment of any portion of this chapter which changes all or part of the existing classification of a zoning district from residential to either commercial or industrial requires a two-thirds majority vote of all members of the City Council. Other amendments require a majority vote of the entire Council. Conditional use permit decisions shall be by a majority of those voting on the question. The Zoning Administrator shall notify the applicant in writing of the Council’s action within the time frame established by M.S. § 15.99, as it may be amended from time to time.
(K) The recommendation of the Planning Commission shall be advisory to the City Council. The decision of the City Council shall be final subject to judicial review.
(Ord. 134/94, passed 3-24-94)