Minutes - Council - 04/22/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Strommen stated that she feels the clean up issues and outside storage are two different issues. She stated that in the public's eyes, the issue of inoperable vehicles are probably a larger concern. She stated that she is leaning toward the Planning Commission discussion of giving the abatement process time to work and feels that perhaps this would be overly restrictive. She stated that she also wasn't sure that encouraging larger outbuildings is always the answer and reiterated that she feels the City should give the abatement process time to work. Councilmember Look stated that he does not want to write an ordinance around one violator, but in his example of the blue van parked on the property line, they can prove operability and abatement will not address that. He stated that it is parked on the property line and is a blight. Councilmember Dehen stated that abatement does not address the number of vehicles. He stated that this ordinance would not solve all problems, but would eliminate some of the blight issues. He suggested that the acreage be changed from 5 to 3 acres. Councilmember Jeffrey stated that he does not think the number of vehicles is the issue because if he has 4 tarped vehicles on an improved surface and 1 car parked on the driveway he would be in compliance. Councilmember Look noted the situation where the City tried to prosecute someone who had a tree growing through the car and the City was defeated even though it was clear that the car was inoperable. Mayor Gamec stated that this case was taking a lot of time and the Council was starting to repeat itself. He suggested that. perhaps this should be brought back to a work session for further discussion. Councilmember Dehen stated that as vehicles are regulated now, there cannot be vehicles parked in the rear yard. Assistant Community Development Director Frolik stated that they can be parked in the rear yard if they are on an improved surface. Councilmember Look stated that he didn't think people needed to be parking vehicles in the rear yard area and would like to see this amended so that is not allowed. Councilmember Strommen asked what would happen if a resident has a driveway that goes to the rear yard. Councilmember Elvig agrees that the City should have "teeth" in the ordinance for the abatement process to work, and also sees the wisdom in allowing the abatement process to work. He stated that people with larger lots often use the rear area to park vehicles and equipment. He stated that he is concerned about crafting a motion during this meeting when there is still so much to be discussed. He stated that he agreed with Mayor Gamec that it should be discussed again at a work session. City Council! April 22, 2008 Page 12 of 18