Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 04/20/2015 - Joint with Planning Comm

Home

RELEVANT LINKS: Sample Permitted and Conditional Uses. See LMC information memo, Land Use Conditional Use Permits. Naegele Outdoor Advertising Co. of Minn. v. Village of Minnetonka, 162 N.W.2d 206 (Minn. 1968). Pine County v. State, Dept. of Natural Resources, 280 N.W.2d 625 (Minn. 1979). However, cities must be careful not to exceed their authority in drafting a city zoning ordinance. Below are some common concerns raised by cities in relation to an initial drafting of a zoning ordinance. A. Establishing permitted and conditional uses In drafting a zoning ordinance, cities often struggle to decide what their permitted and conditional uses should be for each zoning district. For each district created by the zoning ordinance, the ordinance typically provides a list of the permitted and conditional uses. Appropriate uses will change from district to district. Uses designated as "permitted" will be automatically allowed with no need for further application or review (related to zoning) by the city. Therefore, the list of permitted uses should only contain uses about which the city has no reservations. Conditional uses are also a form of authorized permitted use, provided that the applicant can meet the conditions specified in the ordinance. Uses specified as conditional are uses which are generally favorable and desired, but may also pose potential hazards that need to be mitigated (for example a gas station on a corner in a residential neighborhood). As a result of these potential hazards, council review is necessary. It is important to stress that conditional uses, like permitted uses, must be allowed if the applicant can prove that the application meets all of the conditions and requirements of the city's ordinance and will not be detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the public. As a result, the list of conditional uses should only contain uses that the city is certain should be allowed once appropriate conditions are met. B. Aesthetic zoning requirements Aesthetic zoning seeks to create a pleasant appearance in a district or community. Advocates for aesthetic zoning assert that it confers a beneficial effect on property values and on the well-being of its residents. For example, many cities address a host of aesthetic concerns through "design standards" section(s) in their zoning ordinance. Design standards often specify the type of building materials (such as brick or stone) that should be used in that district. Traditionally aesthetic zoning has been criticized as not adequately related to the protecting the health and safety of the public. However, the Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled the "mere fact that adoption of zoning ordinance reflects desire to achieve aesthetic ends should not invalidate an otherwise valid ordinance." Furthermore, the courts recognize that local city officials are in the best position to determine whether aesthetic regulations promote the community's well-being. League of Minnesota Cities Information Memo: 1/20/2015 Zoning Guide for Cities Page 15