Subd. 1. Purposes. The intent of the Flex Service (FS) Zoning District is to provide areas for a variety of compatible land uses outside of the Town Center and Transit Oriented Development districts that create a flexible industrial-commercial environment for the community. The purposes of the Flex Service Zoning District are to:

A.

Convert areas previously utilized as industrial office hybrid into places with a diverse and innovative mix of uses that are better situated in these areas than in other areas of the City;

B.

Provide alternative locations for businesses that meet auto service-oriented, indoor recreational and amusement, commercial, and light industrial needs that are inconsistent with the goals and visions of Town Center, TOD, and Industrial Flex Tech areas;

C.

Provide opportunities for adaptive reuse of properties that provide a mutually beneficial relationship to land use and community needs;

D.

Provide development opportunities that can be auto service-oriented as well as pedestrian accommodating and complement the scale of surrounding areas;

E.

Provide a mix of uses and a more efficient, compact, and connected development pattern; and

F.

Guide future development to provide for and adapt to market and transportation demands.

Subd. 2. Permitted Uses. Refer to the table in Section 11.05.

Subd. 3. Setback and Bulk Regulations.

A.

The following minimum standards apply in the FS district, unless otherwise noted:

B.

The following minimum standards apply for all accessory structures in the FS district, unless otherwise noted:

Subd. 4. Requirements and Conditions. In addition to the provisions of this chapter that are applicable to all districts or specifically apply to the FS District, the following requirements and conditions apply to the FS District:

A.

Redevelopment must be in substantial conformance with any special area study applicable to the property.

B.

Streetscaping must be incorporated to improve the aesthetics and provide cohesiveness.

C.

All permitted uses must be conducted within a building except for patio seating areas associated with taprooms, cocktail rooms, or other restaurant uses.

D.

Lots must have frontage on a public street. Corner lots must have additional width equal to the minimum interior side yard setback requirement and must in no case be less than ninety (90) feet.

Subd. 5. Off-Street Parking Standards.

A.

All properties in the FS district must comply with the off-street parking dimensional and location requirements established in Section 11.43. The number of required parking stalls must either comply with parking requirements in Section 11.43 or comply with a parking plan approved through the following review process:

1.

The City may approve a reduction of the number of required parking spaces in conjunction with a parking plan upon a finding that there are no negative impacts on traffic circulation and neighboring properties. This approval is not subject to the requirements or standards of either a variance or PUD review. As part of an approved parking plan, an agreement between the City and the property owner may be recorded against the property to ensure that additional parking will be provided should parking needs exceed the provided parking onsite.

2.

The parking plan must include the following elements:

a.

At least five (5) off-street parking stalls provided for each property.

b.

A site plan showing all structures, parking stalls, drive aisles, and parking and structure setbacks.

c.

Existing and proposed impervious surface coverage.

d.

Parking lot calculations, including sizes of parking lot islands, percentage of property used for parking, etc.

e.

Snow storage areas and/or snow removal plan.

f.

Stormwater management and water resources.

g.

Garbage, recycling, and organics container locations.

h.

A list of building uses/users and the area(s) they will occupy in square feet.

i.

Operating hours of the uses/users, including peak demand.

j.

Typical parking need of the uses/users based on performance at other locations, current site function, etc.

k.

Traffic and parking data for the proposed use(s) on the site from ITE or other professional transportation organization or licensed engineer.

l.

Any shared parking or cross-access easements or agreements recorded against the property.

m.

Other items as may be requested by City staff to provide a thorough review of the site.

Subd. 6. Pedestrian and Off-Street Bicycle Facility Standards.

A.

Required public sidewalks and/or trails must be constructed in conformance with the Comprehensive Guide Plan and the City's Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan. Design must conform to the requirements of the City Engineer and the City Parks and Recreation Director.

B.

An off-street sidewalk or multi-use trail must be provided that connects each front door of principal buildings to adjacent public sidewalks, trails, or other pedestrian areas that are either existing or contemplated in the Comprehensive Guide Plan, an approved City trail plan, or the City's Capital Improvement Plan.

C.

Off-street bicycle parking must be provided at the following ratios:

1.

Commercial and industrial uses - 1 space per 20,000 square feet of gross floor area

2.

Office uses - 1 space per 15,000 square feet of gross floor area.

3.

Public uses - 5 spaces

D.

Bicycle racks must be securely anchored to the ground and on a hard surface. Required bicycle parking may be seasonal.

E.

Shared Bicycle Parking. Shared off-street bicycle parking facilities may collectively provide bicycle parking for more than one structure or use upon the City's approval of a shared parking plan and agreement.

F.

All development or redevelopment in the FS district must provide exterior pedestrian furniture in appropriate locations along public trails, sidewalks, and other public gathering areas adjacent to public rights-of-way at a minimum rate of one seat for every ten thousand (10,000) square feet of gross floor area.

Subd. 7. General Provisions. Refer to Section 11.08 for provisions that apply to all zoning districts.

Subd. 8. Landscaping. Landscaping and screening is required pursuant to Section 11.42.

Subd. 9. Architectural Standards. Refer to Section 11.46 for architectural standards.

Subd. 10. Signs. Refer to Section 11.70 for sign regulations.

Subd. 11. Shoreland Management. Refer to Section 11.50 for shoreland management standards.

Subd. 12. Wetlands. Refer to Section 11.51 for wetland protection standards.

Subd. 13. Land Alteration, Tree Preservation, and Stormwater Management. Refer to Section 11.55 for regulations regarding land alteration, tree preservation, and stormwater management.

Subd. 14. Sloped Ground Development and Regulations. Refer to Section 11.60 for sloped ground development regulations.

Subd. 15. Floodplain. Refer to Section 11.45 for floodplain regulations.

(Source: Ordinance No. 20-2023, 12-14-2023; Ordinance No. 11-2023, 8-24-2023)