Agenda - Council - 01/26/2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE # ~.~ ADOPT 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 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. Observations: 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. 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 27th, 2009 Work Session with the suggested additions recommended by Council and subsequently presented to Planning Commission at the December meeting. The ordinance was introduced at the City Council Meeting on January 12, 2010. In order to help alleviate concerns regarding the administrative permit process, permits will be forwarded to the City Council along with staff recommendation as part of the weekly update. If there appears to be a problem with the administrative review process, we will bring it back for an amendment later this year. City Staff will need to bring back a subsequent ordinance to amend the definition section of the zoning code, most notably driveway, parking pad and screening, once this ordinance is adopted. Notification: In accordance with State Statute and City Code, the December 3, 2009 public hearing notice for the most recent version of the proposed ordinance was published in the City's official newspaper. Funding: Amendments to City Code are handled through normal staff duties.