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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Report CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PLANNING REPORT CASE NUMBER: 2007-0505 DATE: May 1, 2007 TO: Columbia Heights Planning Commission APPLICANT: City of Columbia Heights REQUEST: Zoning Amendment to the Zoning Code as it relates to Used Auto Sales and Rentals PREPARED BY: Jeff Sargent, City Planner BACKGROUND On November 13, 2006, the City Council adopted Ordinance 1515, amending the City Code as it relates to used automobile sales in the GB, General Business District. Subsequent to the adoption of the new ordinance, City staff realized that certain language in the ordinance was inadvertently left in the code, making the new ordinance difficult to understand. The purpose of Ordinance 1515 is to restrict used auto sales activity throughout the City of Columbia Heights. The intent of Ordinance 1515 is to allow a used auto sales business as a stand-alone entity, as long as the used autos and the business are fully contained within a building. The purpose of the current proposed ordinance is to further clarify Ordinance 1515, making it easier to understand. It should be noted that the intent of Ordinance 1515 would not be altered in any fashion. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The Comprehensive Plan will not be affected with the proposed amendment because the Comprehensive Plan supports all uses within the GB, General Business District. FINDINGS OF FACT The City Council shall make the following findings before granting approval of a request to amend the City Code. These findings are as follows: a) The amendment is consistent with the comprehensive plan. City of Columbia Heights Planning Commission May 1, 2007 Text Amendment, Used Auto Sales Case # 2007-0505 The proposed amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan because the Comprehensive Plan supports commercial activity throughout the City in designated areas. b) The amendment is in the public interest and is not solely for the benefit of a single property owner. The proposed amendment would clarify an existing ordinance, making it easier for the public to interpret and understand. c) Where the amendment is to change the zoning classification of a particular property, the existing use of the property and the zoning classification of property within the general area of the property in question are compatible with the proposed zoning classification. The proposed amendment does not change the zoning classification of a particular property. d) Where the amendment is to change the zoning classification of a particular property, there has been a change in the character or trend of development in the general area of the property in question, which has taken place since such property was placed in its current zoning classification. The proposed amendment does not change the zoning classification of a particular property. RECOMMENDATION City Staff recommends that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend approval of the proposed zoning amendment as outlined in the attached draft ordinance. This ordinance amendment would clarify and existing ordinance, making the ordinance easier to interpret and understand. Motion: The Planning Commission recommends that the City Council approve the text amendments as outlined in the attached draft ordinance. Attachments Draft Ordinance  Page 2