Minutes - Planning Commission - 09/23/2021

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Commissioner VanScoy was unsure the City would dictate that would have to be removed. Senior Planner McGuire Brigl commented that if there were a complaint, staff would tell him that pavers are needed along with a $25 permit. She stated that if the parking regulation, as proposed, were exceeded, a conditional use permit or variance would be needed. Commissioner Walker stated that he did not see the reason to make homeowners go through that process. Commissioner VanScoy stated that perhaps additional space is allowed through conditional use permit. He stated that when it gets out of hand and complaints are generated, it becomes an issue. Commissioner Walker referenced a case the Commission recently reviewed related to code enforcement where a neighbor received a violation and then turned in other neighbors because they were mad. He stated that is what he is worried about. He stated that if someone has a junkyard, he supports making that person clean it up. He stated that on the other hand, he has multiple vehicles to complete the work that is necessary on his property and to support his horses. He noted that is not unique when you are in rural Ramsey. He stated that he does support the regulation on smaller lots but would not want the same regulation on larger lots. Commissioner Anderson asked if a pad is designed as a shed or building. He asked if a lean-to shed that vehicles are parked under considered a pad. Senior Planner McGuire Brigl stated that a lean-to would count as a structure. She stated that this would apply to parking pads. She stated that perhaps they start with the regulation on lots under 2.5 acres and then complete a review in one year. Commissioner VanScoy asked the parking guidelines currently and whether they are by acre. Senior Planner McGuire Brigl reviewed the current parking regulations. Commissioner Walker asked the lot sizes that are creating the current issues. Senior Planner McGuire Brigl replied that there are issues on all sized lots. She stated that there are parking issues on tiny lots, huge lots, and everything between. Commissioner Walker stated that if small lots of account for 75 percent of the problem, it would make sense to deal with that now and leave the larger lots. Commissioner Anderson agreed that they should start small and work their way up. Senior Planner McGuire Brigl stated that the Code currently does not have a limit on parking pads and therefore people are paving and putting down a lot of gravel. Chairperson Bauer stated that when looking at the zoning districts there are districts with 2.5 acre lots but not two acres. He suggested that the regulations apply to 2.5 acre lots and lower, placing Planning Commission/ September 23, 2021 Page 10 of 14