City staff told the City Council on Aug. 25 that a homeowner at 23983 Johnson Street NE asked whether they could build a pole barn. Staff said the parcel is zoned light industrial but that acreage and permit rules would allow a pole barn if the parcel were rezoned residential. The city's planning staff recommended initiating a rezoning to correct what staff described as a mismatched zoning designation in an otherwise residential area.

Why it matters: The rezoning would allow the homeowner (and potentially nearby property owners) to apply for permits for structures such as pole barns consistent with neighborhood patterns. Staff recommended the city absorb the cost of filing and processing a rezoning application and to pursue comprehensive-plan adjustments and planning-and-zoning review.

What staff recommended: The staff presentation identified the property (address cited by staff) and explained that nearby parcels show similar uses and structures. Staff recommended initiating the rezoning and covering the application cost to remove the zoning inconsistency. "We could bring this through the process. The city would absorb the cost on this and then ultimately, allow the homeowner now to to apply for the permits," staff said.

Council action: Council members expressed support and described the change as "common sense"; one member said, "I agree. It should be residential." The council reached consensus to direct staff (Grace and Kendra were named) to begin the rezoning process, submit comp-plan adjustments and run the item through planning and zoning. Staff said they did not foresee problems with the Metropolitan Council for this change but will follow required review processes.

Direction versus formal action: The council did not adopt an ordinance at the work session but directed staff to begin the rezoning application, absorb the filing cost, and process the change through planning and zoning.

Ending: Staff will notify the senator and homeowner that the city will initiate the rezoning process, submit comp-plan adjustments, and proceed through planning and zoning; staff estimated the application would be initiated within the next month when timing allows.