Minutes - Planning Commission - 04/02/1996

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Commissioner Deemer stated that majority rules, and the majority want it more strict. Commissioner Deemer also noted receiving phone calls for more strict regulations, and he entered into the record the three letters submitted at the beginning of the meeting which ask for stricter laws (attached as Exhibits A, B and C). Mr. Hendriksen pointed out that Section 9.11.10, item b., was worded incorrectly. Motion by Commissioner Deemer and seconded by Commissioner Terry to amend Section 9.11.10, item b., to read "Equipment, the primary purpose of which is for private transportation use or personal/recreational use, may be parked/stored outside." Motion carded. Voting Yes: Chairperson Bawden, Commissioners Deemer, Terry, Holland, Jensen, LaDue, and Thorud. Voting No: None. Mr. Hendriksen suggested there should be something that applies to farming/agriculture. He also thought the definition for Equipment, Private Use, was all-inclusive. He perceived that it would apply to a swing set. Commissioner Deemer felt Mr. Hendriksen was stretching the definition. Chairperson Bawden asked if Mr. Hendriksen had a suggestion for improving the definition. Mr. Hendriksen replied he did not have a definition. Mr. Hendriksen also warned the City to be cautious about tying regulations to urban vs. rural districts. He discussed that when the urban area is expanded, rural properties suddenly become urban and will have to comply with the more strict urban regulations. He suggested that it may become significantly more difficult to get those expansions approved. Commissioner Deemer vehemently objected to Mr. Hendriksen's attempt to be misleading, stating that the City doesn't have to have a vote to expand the urban area. Mr. Hendriksen replied that he feels there are some instances where it would be advantageous to expand the urban area and it will be difficult to get the citizens "approval." Tom Williams, 5180 157th Lane N.W. - stated that the limitation of the number of vehicles is good common sense. He declared that each resident has rights with respect to their own property but they also have the responsibility to keep that property up. "Without strict limits or stricter enforcement, we are all only one home sale away from living next to a junk heap." He explained that his neighborhood has covenants, however, he realizes that many people do not and they need that protection. He felt the City cannot start making exceptions with residents who refuse to comply. "There should be no exceptions. They should be operable. They should be on a prepared surface. We want to make it expensive to have junk on one's property." He also expressed concern about ground pollution. He concluded "The City has a problem. Other cities are dealing with their problems; let's see the City clean up." Jim Green, 5858 151st Lane N.W. - stated that not everybody has the same ideas about hobbies and what to do with after-work hours. He commented that he is interested in car restoration. "You don't build (or rebuild) a car over night. Sometimes it takes 3-5 years to build. You need parts, etc." He pointed out that some people golf, some people fish (and the fishermen have their boats), and car people have their cars. "We have as many rights as they do." He stressed the need to draft an ordinance that will satisfy "us" as well as Mr. William---"You need to work with everybody." He felt it didn't matter whether one owned a hobby farm or a city lot, just because there is an old car out back doesn't mean it's junk. He pointed out the engine shop (Welsh Engine Sales) on Planning Commission/April 2, 1996 Page 12 of 18