07-25-07 Council Workshop Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL JULY 25, 2007 Blesener asked the opinions of those present whether they felt outdoor storage should be tied to building size or lot size. Barraclough indicated building size. Keis asked about the outdoor storage of construction materials such as pipe. He noted that the ordinance amendment proposed that outdoor storage must either move on its own power or be stored on or within a trailer. The City Planner asked how the City would distinguish between large orderly rows of stuff and disorderly piles. Pechmann pointed out the issue of whether storage is permanent or is constantly turning over. Barraclough pointed out that businesses may have trailers that come and go. The City Planner indicated that trailers raise an issue in that some businesses will use trailers for storage on a permanent basis rather than constructing a building. The Planner stated that he has tried to avoid the situation where the City has to monitor whether things are being moved around. The Plamier indicated, however, that if the City eliminated the use of trailers for storage, stuff will sit on the ground. Blesener asked how the City should address the storage of pipe, etc. as raised by Keis. The Planner indicated that some cities allow storage of construction materials as a specific class of storage. These materials would have to be related to the business occupying the property. Montour again noted that it is difficult to regulate neatness. McGraw did not feel neatness was the problem, the problem was the vehicle front ends, radiators, etc. that are stored similar to a junk yard. Allan stated that she supported outdoor storage at a level equal to 100% of the building size. The City Administrator suggested that the ordinance include standards for access, limitation on height, reasonable orderliness. Blesener agreed that the materials stored had to relate to the business. This would not include personal recreational vehicles, boats, etc. McGraw suggested that rather than focusing on Ryan Industrial Park, the City develop the best ordinance it can and work forward from that point. Keis, Allan, and Montour indicated that they would like to see outdoor storage allowed on a one to one basis with building size. Montour stated that he would not oppose a maximum related to lot size as well. Duray felt a two to one ratio was more realistic. Keis recommended elimination of the video surveillance requirement. The Planner reviewed point 3 which required a tenant to occupy 40% of the building space in order to qualify for outdoor storage. Montour pointed that a building occupied equally by three tenants would result in