05-28-2024 Council Meeting Packet

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CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING STAFF REPORT AGENDA ITEM 6E STAFF ORIGINATOR: MEETING DATE: TOPIC: Katie Larsen, City Planner May 28, 2024 Ordinance No. 04-24, Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment- Sacred Communities and Micro-Unit Dwellings i.Consider 2nd Reading of Ordinance No. 04-24 ii.Consider Resolution No. 24-46 Approving Summary Publication of Ordinance No. 04-24 VOTE REQUIRED: Simple Majority ______________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION Beginning January 1, 2024, Minnesota Statue 327.30 requires that cities must allow religious institutions to site micro units on religious property. This is not related to the recently submitted land use application for Madinah Lakes PUD Concept Plan and their proposed Robinson Sod Farm development. This is a requirement of State law. The 1st reading of the ordinance was approved by Council on May 13, 2024. BACKGROUND See attached League of Minnesota Cities summary. During the 2023 legislative session, the Legislature passed a bill authorizing religious institutions beginning January 1, 2024 to site micro-unit dwellings on religious institution property. The State statute also requires cities to permit sacred settlements of micro units either via a permitted use or conditional use. See attached Minnesota Statute 327.30 for detailed requirements. State statute defines the following: (e) "Micro unit" means a mobile residential dwelling providing permanent housing within a sacredcommunity that meets the requirements of subdivision 4. (f) "Religious institution" means a church, synagogue, mosque, or other religious organization organizedunder chapter 315. (g) "Sacred community" means a residential settlement established on or contiguous to the grounds ofa religious institution's primary worship location primarily for the purpose of 150