Minutes - Planning Commission - 09/03/2009 - Jt Meeting w City Council

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City Administrator Ulrich indicated that a separate regulation may need to be established for homes along a County road, as that would not be the same setting as a cul-de-sac neighborhood. He stated that the ordinance should focus on performance standards as certain other items could also come into play, such as topography and the amount of frontage of a property. Councilmember Wise stated that the Council was in favor of accessory buildings for the storage of items. He stated that while it's nice to have recreational items, the owner would need to ensure that they could also afford the storage, whether that is a garage, or the use of a storage facility. 'Planning Manager Miller clarified some items that the Commission and Council were in agreement on and suggested updating the ordinance with those items at this time. She advised that staff could continue to work on this ordinance. Councilmember Look stated that he did not believe that a small setback would not improve the ordinance significantly. Councilmember Dehen stated that he did not want to debate this item any further and was in favor of proceeding as the ordinance was proposed, with a six-item limit. Councilmember McGlone stated that he would like to add the language specifying that a property owner would be able to park, or store an item, in the side yard as long as the. surface was paved and screened on all four sides. Councilmember Elvig stated that he did not believe that an ordinance could be written that would completely address this issue. He suggested that a policy also be established that would pro actively address the issue, such as sending out a staff person, or officer, to ask the resident to remove something rather than only addressing complaints. Councilmember Dehen stated that people would not be that nice to each other. He stated that he thought a rule should be established, and people in violation would have a chance to come forward for a variance. He explained that he was in favor of aesthetics and believed that if the city is not appealing, people would not move to Ramsey. He advised that laws were written for five percent of the people, and when those people get caught, they complain. Councilmember Elvig stated that he was concerned that the ordinance was being written to go after that five percent of people, which is then catching several other law-abiding people in the web. Councilmember Look stated that he was in favor of attempting a proactive policy but did not think that people would be voluntarily moving items without an ordinance to support the request. Commissioner Brauer again stated that as the ordinance was written there would be at least six properties in violation within one block of his home. City Council Work Session I September 3,2009 Page 5 of6