WORKSHOP ITEM Bryan Schafer, Community Development Director
Title
HARLEY DAVIDSON STORE RELOCATION
Background
Harley Davidson would like to build a new generation Harley Davidson showroom, sales and maintenance facility. Fortunately the new owner of the Blaine facility wishes to remain in Blaine and has identified a site along Highway 65 between Super America and U-Haul (97th-99th). This would be a significant investment as the new dealerships are significantly larger and offer more retail options and services than the older style facility currently in Blaine. In keeping with the Harley image of high quality, the building would be 40,000 sq feet and contain a high finish showroom, lounge, Thunder Tower (see concept), full retail store and maintenance department. Once completed the project represents a $10 million dollar investment which will employ approximately 110 staff. They hope to begin construction in the spring of 2017.
The site is zoned PBD (Planned Business District) and as such motorcycle sales is not one of the allowed activities. If the City Council is supportive of seeing a new Harley dealership being built in Blaine, the City would need to initiate a code amendment by adding: Motorcycle Dealership Showroom and Maintenance Facility.
The amendment might also contain a minimum building standard of 20,000 square feet to help ensure that any future requests are of similar nature and quality.
All uses in the PBD are by Conditional Use Permit. The City completed a similar type code amendment process for Brewer Tap Room last year.
Recommendation
Staff is looking for direction of whether the City Council is supportive of initiating a code amendment to the PBD (Planned Business District) to allow a new motorcycle dealership.
Attachments
Site Map
Building Elevations (example)
Interior Pictures (example)