Minutes - Council - 04/13/1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Case#9: Proposed Ordinance to Amend Sections 9.02 and 9.11.02 of the Ramsey City Code Regarding Accessory Structures Zoning Administrator Frolik stated that the Planning Commission directed staff to draft an ordinance to amend City Code to eliminate the single building size restriction on accessory buildings. The total amount of garage and accessory building space allowed on a parcel is not proposed to change with the amendment. However, the current code does not establish an amount of garage space allowed on lots less than 10,800 square feet. With some of the new policies being written into the Comprehensive Plan and the potential increase in the use of Planned Unit Development tools in the future, staff established another line item in the accessory building square footage allotment tables for lots less than 10,800 square feet in size. Ms. Frolik observed that eliminating the single building size restriction raises the concern that a property owner could use up all of their square footage allotment in one garage or outbuilding that would not be proportionate to the home or parcel size. To alleviate this concern, staff included language that when garages and outbuildings are developed on a parcel, at least 400 square feet of the allotment must be reserved for the primary garage and that no primary garage can exceed 1,000 square feet, or 30% of the main floor area of the home. The term private garage was changed to primary garage and the definition affirms that primary garages are considered accessory buildings and shall not be considered a part of the home for home occupation purposes. Ms. Frolik explained that the ctm:ent table in City Code was expanded upon to include performance standards as well as the square footage allotments to simplify this section. In order to merge the performance standards into the allotment table and keep the table as simple as possible, it was necessary to extend the soffit, fascia, and eave overhang requirement to parcels up to 5.59 acres in size versus the current 5.0 acres. Councilmember Haas Steffen mentioned a problem someone had in getting a conditional use permit because of a power easement - they were not able to build. Ms. Frolik responded that the power line easement supersedes this. The City does not exclude an easement area. Community Development Assistant Walther called attention to the exterior finish portion of the chapter. It states that the exterior finish permitted is the same as home for 2 acres through 5.59 acres. It should be clarified that it has to be color compatible. It does not have to be compatible as far as the exterior texture of the home. Motion by Councilmember Haas Steffen and seconded by Councilmember Anderson to introduce a proposed amendment to Sections 9.02 and 9.11.02 of the Ramsey City Code. Motion carded. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Haas Steffen, Anderson, Hendriksen and Zimmerman. Voting No: None. City Council/April 13, 1999 Page 10 of 14