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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
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