HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Memo dated June 6, 1911 from City Manager to City Council - printing as permitted use in G-C district ANi s
TO: Mayor and Members of Ames City Council
FROM: Steven L. Schainker, City Manager-W
DATE: June 6, 1991
RE: Printing as a Permitted Use in the General Commercial
Zoning District
In the past several months, two printing businesses have stated a desire
to expand their businesses by constructing additional space. Both
businesses are located in zoning districts that are zoned General
Commercial (G-C).
The Statement of Intent and the permitted uses for the G-C district are
reflected in the Municipal Code as follows:
Sec. 29.22. G-C, GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
Statement of Intent. This district is intended to accommodate the
wide range of retail commercial services and products, wholesaling,
warehousing, and multiple-family residential units.
(1) Permitted Uses. A building or premises shall be used only for
the following purposes:
All uses involving retailing, commercial services and products
to the general public, wholesaling, and warehousing, and
residential corrections facilities, located no closer than 500 feet
to another residential corrections facility or a supervised
group home. It is also intended to accommodate, in those same
areas, the development of mixed land uses which will allow the
combination of commercial and residential uses in the same
structure. Residential uses should be located above the first
floor, however, the first floor may be occupied by residential
uses in residential corrections facilities.
(Ord. No. 3008, Sec. 2, 4-12-88)
2
In reading the Statement of Intent and the list of permitted uses, it is not
clear to staff whether printing businesses were intended to be permitted in
the G-C district. Traditionally, when the staff encounters what is
believed to be an ambiguous situation in regards to a permitted use, we
rely on the "Standard Industrial Classification" (SIC) manual for
guidance. According to the SIC manual, it would appear that the two
printing businesses in question would be classified as manufacturing. If
staff relies on this source, then these two businesses would be
non-conforming and, therefore, unable to expend in accordance with their
desires.
Because of the ramification of this decision to these two businesses, and
other printing operations in G-C zones, staff believes that the City
Council should clarify its intent with respect to allowing printing
businesses in this district.
If the City Council believes that printing businesses should be permitted,
then an amendment to the G-C regulations, specifically listing printing as
a permitted use, should be made. If the City Council believes that
printing businesses should not be permitted in the G-C district, staff will
use that interpretation with respect to these two businesses and no
amendment will be made.
Attached to this memo is a packet of material that staff has assembled on
this issue.
An additional issue has been raised regarding the current parking
requirements for printing operations. If you so desire, the staff will be
analyzing these requirements further and might offer proposed changes
regarding parking standards for printing businesses in the near future.
Attachment
y\bpo\caf\printing.611