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CASE #4 ACCESSORY STRUCTURE HEIGHT LIMIT INCREASE (PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO RAMSEY CITY CODE CHAPTER 9.10, SECTION 9.11,02 SUBD, 5) By: Building Official Glyn H. Huff Background: City Code Ch~pter~ 9.10, Section 9.11.02, subd. 5 (Performance Standards; Accessory Uses) states: "On any;parcel of land, no accessory structure shall exceed 16 feet in height." Though City C~uncil and Planning and Zoning Commission minutes do not reflect discussion, it is our understandlhg that an in depth discussion took place prior to the adoption of this standard in 1986. It was decided that 16 feet for an accessory structure was adequate height because the 16 feet would be'r~t median by which accessory structures would not look "out-of-place" in a residential area where the principal structures are predominantly split-level or rambler style dwellings. One factor that .maY not have been considered was that the wider a structure is built, the higher it will become. 'llhe ordinance allows accessory structures up to 4800 square feet; however, in the I . ; same vein it pr0hlbits a structure of 4800 square feet because of the 16 foot height lin-fit. This paradox should be addressed. As discussed bY, staff a number of times, our ordinance concerning height of accessory structures is too restrictive. There have been many queries from residents asking how they could construct an accessory sffr~cture with a garage door 12 feet in height to accommodate an RV equipped with air conditionersiI In Order to comply with City Code height limits, specially engineered trusses and decking must be used for less than the standard 4/12 pitch. (See attachments). In accordance with Minnesota Stat~ Building Code, the City Code should not cause citizens to bear undue expenses in building an accessory structure in low-density areas. Observations:. 1) To provide adequate door hmght for higher vehicles, the side walls must be 12 feet to 14 feet in h~ight. Using conventionally designed trusses, and depending on width, the total height '~om ground level to peak (ridge) is 18 feet to 20 feet in height. 2) The wider the accessory structure is constructed, the higher it becomes. In most cases less than a 3]12 pitch and perhaps less than 4/12 pitch is undesirable because of snow load require, rqents., in this area. In item #1 above, the 18 feet to 20 feet is compatible with a 4/12 roof p~tch (m most cases). 3) A standard truss has a 4/12 pitch. This is consistent with the vast majority of homes constru&ed i'n Ramsey. Aesthetically, the 4/12 pitch fits the flow and rhythm (flow and rhythm are the architectural terms used to describe visual compatibility). 4) In researching accessory height limits in other cities, City Staffhas found that those limits are generally' set at 22' to 25' in rural density areas and 15' in urban density areas. The following items are enclosed for your information: a) ~xce ,rpt from City of Plymouth Zoning Ordinance b) Excerpt from E~River'Zoning Ordinance