Ordinance - #25-10 - 11/25/2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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the provisions of the zoning code, subdivision code, and sign code as well as dimensional standards in chapter 10, animals, and chapter 109, mobile homes and mobile home parks, where strict enforcement would cause practical difficulties because of circumstances unique to the individual property under consideration. The planning commission shall be given the powers and duties given such agencies by Minn. Stats. § 462.357. The planning commission shall also be given the powers to consider appeals by owners of land within the official map area who have been denied a land use permit, other than those permits explicitly denied by the city council, approval for a building on land, or any other city action taken pursuant to the zoning code which may affect the landowner's land. The appeal procedures shall be pursuant to Minn. Stats. § 462.359. Sec. 106-220. Variances. (a) Variances shall only be permitted when they are in harmony with the general purposes and intent of this chapter and when the variances are consistent with the comprehensive plan. (b) Public hearing notice mailing distance is 350 feet. (c) Variances may be granted when the applicant for the variance establishes that there are practical difficulties in complying with the zoning code. "Practical difficulties," as used in connection with the granting of a variance, means: (1) That the property owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by the zoning code; (2) The plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by the landowner; (3) The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality. (4) Economic considerations alone do not constitute practical difficulties; (5) Practical difficulties include, but are not limited to, inadequate access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems; and (6) Public takings of property due to condemnation; and (7) Variances shall be granted for earth sheltered construction as defined in Minn. Stats. § 216C.06, subd. 14, when in harmony with this chapter. (d) The planning commission City Council may not permit as a variance any use that is not allowed under the zoning code for property in the district where the affected person's land is located. (e) The planning commission City Council may impose conditions in the granting of variances. A condition must be directly related to and must bear a rough proportionality to the impact created by the variance. (f) The planning commission City Council shall serve as the final decision -making authority. However, any action of the planning commission City Council may be appealed to the council Court of Appeals by any affected person if notice of such an appeal is received by the zoning administrator Court of Appeals within ten days of the final action of the planning commission City Council. (g) The variance is approved by resolution. (h) Recording of variance. A certified copy of a variance resolution shall be recorded with the Anoka County recorder or registrar of titles for record. The variance resolution shall include the legal description of the property included. No building permit shall be issued until after recording is made. (i) Additional standards for variances within the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Overlay District are found in section 106-910. SECTION 3. SUMMARY The following official summary of Ordinance #25-10 has been approved by the City Council of the City of Ramsey as clearly informing the public of the intent and effect of the Ordinance: "Chapter 2 Administration and Chapter 106 Zoning Code have been amended to set forth procedures in reviewing and approving variances by the Planning Commission and City Council." Ordinance #25-10 Page 2 of 3