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ordinance and trailers (with wheels) that might be used temporarily for storage under some circumstances. The needs of large construction projects were also discussed, including non- residential properties such as Falcon Heights Town Square. Commissioner Lukermann said it might be appropriate to make allowance or exception for projects where there is an active building permit. This initiated a discussion of reasonable uses in general, including time limits. Commissioner Lageson said he would prefer that the structures not be allowed on the public streets at all. Other commissioners pointed out circumstances under which the property owner would have no other choice. A general consensus was that people would probably prefer not to put them on the street if they had any other choice, and that the City should not create requirements that impose unusual expenses on property owners by going against the usual rental agreements offered in the market. In response to commissioners' questions, Ms. Jones said the City has been treating storage containers on the street similarly to dumpsters. There has been no regulation on private property. Speaking in practical terms, she said staff would like to know where these structures are, when they arrived and who is the responsible person. This led to a discussion of permitting and notification requirements in other cities, which several Commissioners had researched. Mr. Ryan found that other cities have permitting requirements and fees and make allowances for containers on private property during major remodeling projects. In response to a question from Mr. Lageson, Ms. Jones said having the information submitted in a permit enables staff to enforce the code in a timely manner. Cities are empowered to regulate structures. • Commissioner Rodich raised the issue of impervious surface again. Why restrict location to paved surfaces. Commissioner DeLeo said he saw it as an issue of community character, similar to parking cars on the lawn, which Falcon Heights does not allow. Mr. Lageson pointed out that the rental companies will only deliver to a paved surface. Mr. Lageson also pointed out that because storage structures are expensive and that property owners would have an incentive to have the structures as short a time as possible. He asked why neighbors can't talk to each other instead of running to the City with complaints all the time. How far can we go toward restricting people's use of their property? Mr. DeLeo responded that the issue is really community character and whether storage structures are even appropriate or desirable, so the purpose of the storage is irrelevant. To him, the purpose of the ordinance is to maintain community quality and character. There are other storage options people can use. There was additional discussion on this philosophical aspect of the issue. Commissioners decided to go through the draft ordinance and modify it in accordance with all their discussions. With much additional discussion, the following changes were made: • Eliminate the 10 foot dimension from the definition • Change the 48 hour time limit to 72 hours on the right of way • Change the 3 week time limit on private property to a longer time, at least 4 weeks. • Allow structures no more than twice in any 90 day period (increased from 60 days) • Include a permit or registration requirement, but let the details be determined as • administrative policy. • Correct some typographical errors noted on the chairman's copy. City of Falcon Heights -Planning Commission Meeting of November 28, 2006 -Page 2 of 3