Laserfiche WebLink
EXHIBIT A <br /> <br />January 10, 1996 <br /> <br />To: <br /> <br />Ramsey City Council <br />Ramsey Planning Commission <br /> <br />From: Zoning Administrator Sylvia Frolik <br /> <br />Re: <br /> <br />Proposed ordinance amendment regarding parking and storing vehicles and <br />equipment in the residential districts <br /> <br />Today I received a telephone call from Gary Reimann regarding the proposed ordinance to <br />establish regulations for parking and storing vehicles and equipment, especially commercial <br />use type, in the residential districts. Mr. Reimann asked me to document his comments and <br />give them to the City Council and Planning Commission in memo form. <br /> <br />Mr. Reimarm stated that when the discussions first started, it seemed that the City was <br />leaning towards allowing this activity in the rural residential district only. But now the City <br />is considering allowing this activity in the urban residential district as well as the rural <br />residential district, with substantial screening in the place of indoor storage. The City has <br />worked too long and too hard planning its urban district to let somettdng like this happen. <br /> <br />Mr. Reimann pointed out that the majority of the comments submitted to the Planning <br />Commission and City Council so far are from residents who are in violation of the City <br />Code, don't like the fact that the City made a decision to enforce the code, and have a lot to <br />gain by getting the City to relax the rules. They have clearly stated that the City should <br />mind its own business and let them do anything they want to on their property, as long as <br />their neighbors don't mind. Many neighbors would rather turn their cheek than complian <br />and start a neighborhood feud. No organization, not even a family, can function properly <br />without rules. Mr. Reimann wants to remind the Council and Commission that there are <br />times when the appointed and elected officials have to take a strong stand for the good of <br />the overall community. In this case that would include the non-vocal majority who don't <br />own commercial vehicles, made a decision to build their home in what they thought was a <br />residential district only, and are probably too intimidated by the vocal supporters of this <br />ordinance to make their opinions public. Mr. Reimann stated that he is concerned that <br />relaxing the rules too much at this point in the City's growth could be a big step backwards <br />in preserving the residential character of the neighborhoods. <br /> <br />Mr. Reimann also noted that as the operator of a legal grandfathered business at his home, <br />he stands to benefit from the ordinance as it is proposed. But as a member of the <br />community, he also feels the need to speak up for the rights of those persons that bought <br />into the City's plan. <br /> <br />Gary suggested that if the City goes forward with the ordinance, outside storage should <br />apply to the rural district only and that too should have a sunset clause; that there should be <br />language in the ordinance that clearly states that these provisions are in no way intended to <br />allow for the operation of businesses in the neighborhoods; and any substantial changes in <br />the activity, like an increase in traffic to and from a property, even if it is still a one man <br />operation, would give the City the right to review the circumstances and cause the operation <br />to relocate to a commercial location. <br /> <br /> <br />