Minutes - Planning Commission - 02/02/1999

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Motion by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by seconded by Commissioner Dempsey to direct City Staff to draft an ordinance amendment to increase the number of dogs permitted on a parcel of land to 3 and establish criteria and performance standards for conditional use permits for more than 3 dogs. , Further Discussion: Commissioners Nixt and~WKtKtociscak were not in favor of increasing t'~hPe ~'°V'~_\hq number of dogs allowed on an urban parcel to 3. Commissioner Johnson stated that he has no strong feelings either way for the number of dogs permitted (2 or 3) because it is not the number of dogs, but how well you take care of them. The consensus of the Commission is that the draft ordinance presented for review should include the option for both 2 and 3 dogs and a decision will be made at that time. The Commission also suggested that the draft ordinance contain language to establish that 2 dogs are generally permitted, a 3rd dog may be approved administratively if certain criteria are met, and 4 or more dogs will require a conditional use permit for a kennel permit. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Anderson, Commissioners Nixt, Wivoda, Dempsey, Johnson, and Kociscak. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Jensen. Case #2: Discussion Item: Size Restrictions On Garages And Accessory Structures: Zoning Administrator Frolik explained that the City Code establishes limits on the total amount of garage and outbuilding or accessory structure space allowed on a parcel and a limit on the size of any one building. Up until April of 1998, the language was such that a property owner could put all of that space allotment into one garage. Since April of 1988, there has been a size restriction on any one building in addition to the overall square footage allowed on parcel that essentially forced property owners to build at least two buildings to use up their overall allotment of garage space. Since April of 1998, the Planning Commission has recommended approval of 6 applications for conditional use permits to use up all of the remaining eligible square footage on a lot in one outbuilding, as the code previously allowed. Ms. Frolik stated that the single structure size restriction was established to deter the establishment of illegal businesses in oversized outbuildings. During the past 10 months, it has become apparent that the single building size restriction causes unnecessary work for city staff; unnecessary costs, time and government paperwork to the residents; and really isn't a very effective way to discourage illegal businesses. The Commission agreed that there are better ways to track illegal businesses and it is better if the residents can store all of their possessions in a building. Motion by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Dempsey to direct City Staff to draft an ordinance to eliminate the single building size restriction on accessory buildings. Further Discussion: Commissioner Dempsey noted that the amount of garage space allowed is based on a sliding scale that starts with 1 acre or less; it may be time to consider more urbanization of the scale. Planning Commission/February 2, 1999 Page 3 of 4