Agenda - Council - 01/12/2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE # '1.03 INTRODUCE ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 9.11.08 (OFF-STREET PARKING REGULATIONS) OF THE ZONING CHAPTER OF CITY CODE CASE OF CITY OF RAMSEY By: Amber G. Miller, Planning Manager Background: Currently City Code does not place any restrictions on the number of vehicles or equipment that can be stored outside on a residential parcel; only that vehicles must be operable and parked on an improved surface. Increasingly, Staff is dealing with complaints or ordinance violations regarding off-street parking issues. The City~ Council and Planning Commission have reviewed several renditions of proposed amendments to the off-street parking ordinance. Staff has continued to research and refine the proposed amendment over the past three years. The issue was most recently discussed in September of this year at a joint Planning Commission and City Council Work Session and finally on October 27,2009 at a City Council Work Session, Analysis: Attached for your review is an amendment to City Code to address off-street parking issues that the City Council and Planning Commission have been discussing over the past couple of years. The proposed ordinance is exactly what was presented to the City Council at the October 2th, 2009 Work Session with the suggested additions recommended by Council and subsequently presented to Planning Commission at the December meeting. Staff has brought forward comprehensive changes to the ordinance that address lot size, MUSA distinction, and the ability to apply for more items through an administrative permit process, City Council directed City Staff to draft an ordinance that would establish an aggregate number of items allowed to be parked or stored outdoors on parcels based on lot size, but allow an administrative process to grant exceptions under certain conditions. The following summarizes the changes to the existing code (the items listed includes the items parked on the driveway): . 6 items allowed for outdoor storage and parking on parcels less than 2 acres in size. . 8 items allowed for outdoor storage and parking on parcels between 2 acres and 5 acres in size. . 10 items allowed for outdoor storage and parking on parcels 5 acres or greater in size. . Items stored outdoors on properties less than 2 acres would be required to be stored closer to the primary structure than the lot lines; on properties greater than two acres items would be required to have a 15 foot setback from property lines. This would apply to vehicles and equipment.