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Regular Planning Commission 7. 2. <br /> Meeting Date: 08/25/2022 <br /> By: Brian McCann, Community <br /> Development <br /> Information <br /> Title: <br /> Discuss Eliminating Zoning Permits <br /> Purpose/Background: <br /> Staff has contemplated the removal of zoning permits for several years due to several issues and is seeking <br /> guidance from the Planning Commission about the potential elimination of zoning permits from Zoning Code. <br /> Notification: <br /> Notification is not required for a discussion item. If an ordinance is brought forward, a public hearing will be <br /> properly advertised in the newspaper. <br /> Observations/Alternatives: <br /> Background <br /> Zoning Permits were initially implemented by the City in an attempt to reduce complaints about small, common <br /> homeowner improvements after they were completed(e.g. fence facing the wrong direction, shed too close to a <br /> property line, etc.). Zoning Permits address improvements that do not require a Building Permit but still have to <br /> meet certain zoning standards. There are no inspections associated with a Zoning Permit. Thus,these permits have <br /> a minimal fee ($25.00). Typical projects include fences up to seven feet(T)in height, accessory structures less than <br /> 200 square feet in size, smaller swimming pools, and new or replacement driveways. Staff have reviewed about <br /> 1,500 zoning permits since they were added to the zoning code in 2007. <br /> Issues with Zoning Permits <br /> Staff has encountered several issues with zoning permits since their introduction: <br /> . Staff time handling zoning permits greatly outweighs associated costs. Time includes: <br /> .Entering in the City's record management and permitting systems. <br /> .Review time. In some cases,multiple review cycles are required spanning multiple weeks. <br /> .Handling communications with property owners, contractors,and other interested parties. <br /> .Negatives for residents <br /> .In some instances,property owners are relayed the standards for their project and construct without a <br /> permit. This could leave them subject to code enforcement actions because they do not have a permit, <br /> even though they completed the project correctly. <br /> . Some residents aren't aware of zoning permits, and their projects are delayed when they have to go <br /> through the permitting process. At least once a month, Staff has spoken with residents who have a <br /> scheduled date for project completion with a contractor that has to be delayed because they do not have <br /> a zoning permit. <br /> Solution <br /> Staff is proposing to eliminate the requirement of zoning permits from the Zoning Code, and opting for an <br /> educational approach. Staff would generate simple guides that property owners could reference for their project, <br /> without having to go through the permitting process. This would eliminate staff time associated with zoning <br /> permits, and leave property owners to their own to complete projects. If a complaint is received and an issue is <br /> verified by the City's code enforcement process,the property owner would be required to remediate the situation <br /> (even with Zoning Permits in place,this same process is implemented). <br />