Agenda - Council - 06/14/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Brauer, to recommend approval o1' an Ordinance amending driveway length and front yard setback regulations in the Town Center Zoning District, noting the concern for pedestrian access and safety on 20-foot driveways, and requesting specific feedback from the City Council, with consideration of eliminating driveways and widening streets to provide parking and sidewalks in lieu of driveways. Motion Carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Nixt, Commissioners Johnson, Brauer, Levine, and Van Scoy. Voting No: Commissioner Watson. Absent: Commissioner Shepherd. Commissioner Watson noted he does not feel they should be sacrificing the length of driveways for density. Case #6: Public Hearing ~ Proposed Ordinance to the Amend Accessory Structure Section of City Code; Case of City of Ramsey l'rescutatiou Associate Planner Geisler advised that two-story and split level accessory structures are prohibited, in part, because they had been prohibited by the Building Code. She stated on March 24, 2003, thc ban on two-story accessory buildings was eliminated from the Building Code. She indicated two-story accessory buildings are not necessarily uncommon, as many people want the extra space for a hobby shop, office, or just more storage space. She stated this can be acco;nmodatcd without increasing the allowable height for accessory buildings. Associate Planner Geisler explained the height of accessory structures is currently restricted to sixteen l~cct on parcels less than 2.5 acres and twenty-two feet on parcels 2.5 acres or greater in size. She adviscd that two acres is the point at which accessory structures can be sided with metal panels that are color compatible with the home, and can be located nearer the front property line than thc principal structure if certain criteria are met. She stated it seems logical to utilizc a uuiform size threshold for height, siding requirements, and location of accessory structures. She indicated with the adoption of the cluster ordinance, which essentially eliminates thc minimuln lot size of 2.5 acres in the rural developing areas, the two acre threshold seems reasonable to use to restrict the height of accessory structures. Associate ?lanner Geisler stated the size of accessory buildings is limited by the size of a parcel. She indicated thc size restrictions seem to be reasonable with one exception. All properties larger than 10.6 acres are lumped into the same category for allowable square feet of accessory building space. She stated it seems appropriate to create additional size categories that would allc)w IDr moro square footage for accessory buildings on larger properties. Associate Planner Geisler advised that swimming pool and space regulations are currently located in Chapter 8 of City Code. She indicated that many of the regulations are related to ×oning issues, and Staff believes that most of these regulations would be more appropriately Planning Commission/April 21, 2005 Page 17 of 23