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3) Fences and Outside Storage <br /> <br />Community Development Director Frolik explained that the current City ordinances are not very <br />specific when it comes to identifying permitted materials and setbacks for fences. This leaves a <br />lot to the discretion of City staff, which makes administration of the Code very difficult at times. <br />She requested the Council discuss fencing standards and provide direction whether the Code <br />should be amended. Community Development Director Frolik explained there are two zoning <br />issues. Permitted fencing material is subject to approval by the Community Development <br />Department and leaves a lot of discretion for staff. Information has been distributed to the <br />Council regarding research completed by Community Development Assistant Anderson <br />concerning how other communities control fencing materials. Community Development <br />Director Frolik stated the second issue relates to outside storage. Last summer the Council <br />reviewed a conditional use permit request for an oversized accessory building. Through the <br />discussion that ensued, it came to the Council's attention that there is not a limit on the number <br />of vehicles and pieces of equipment that can be stored or parked on a residential lot. This subject <br />is scheduled for a subsequent worksession for the Council to determine what appeals to the <br />Council and what they might want to change in the City Code. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated one of the things that concerns him is that the fencing ordinance <br />does not have enough restrictions in some senses, and in others there are too many restrictions. <br />He commented there is a wrought iron fence along Highway 47 that is not permitted under the <br />City's conditional use currently. There are also vinyl split rail fences that are not allowed. <br />Councilmember Elvig commented there are some nice materials that could be added to the list. <br />He stated he could not agree more with the statement that electric type fences should not be a <br />boundary type fence. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kurak inquired how farming is determined for fencing. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Frolik replied farming is defined. Barbed wire is allowed for <br />farming and containing livestock, but electric fencing is not allowed. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec commented this is a problem with a changing community. He agrees with the idea <br />of an electric fence to protect a dog. However, he would hate to have someone come in and pay <br />$600 to say they have 20 acres in the middle of a residential area and would like an electric <br />fence. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen stated she agrees this will have to be dealt with in transitional <br />communities, and they need to look at it more generally. The discussion around the Konzak case <br />might indicate where they want to go. Setbacks and things like that were discussed and they <br />need to think about it generally. They still have some of these uses in Ramsey and need to think <br />about a way to deal with that. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cook stated they have to be very careful about setbacks. If two adjacent <br />homeowners are required to have a setback of three feet there is then a six foot swatch between <br />the fences. He questioned who would take care of this area. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session/February 10, 2004 <br /> Page 4 of 5 <br /> <br /> <br />