04/09/1997 P&Z Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

Planning & Zoning Board April 9, 1997 Page 8 Mr. Joe Teal, 6522 White Deer Trail, stated that he only heard about this issue because one resident took the initiative to distribute flyers. He would like to know why the City does not notify residents so there can be more input. Chair Schaps explained that approximately 2.5 years ago the City Council directed the Planning & Zoning Board to review the City's ordinances to make them more user friendly. No specific direction was given for any specific ordinance. The Board thoroughly reviewed over 300 pages of ordinances at additional workshop meetings to develop a book that is easier to read and use. When this ordinance was reviewed last fall, the entire ordinance was under review, not this specific topic. The entire book was made available to anyone who wished to read it. City notices and public hearings are published in The Quad. It is possible this ordinance was not as closely scrutinized as it should have been, and for that he apologized. However, he stated that he does not apologize for the vigilance that the Board has given to the ordinance review process. The Board has done a good job and produced a better City ordinance. Mr. Herr noted that The Quad put in an additional notice under the "News Briefs" for this meeting. He stated that many people do not read public notices and he appreciated seeing this additional notice where people would be likely to see it. He suggested considering a review of the ordinance drafting policy that would include the official public notice required as well as an additional notice under "News Briefs" where residents are likely to see it. Mr. Pat Smith, 6922 West Shadow Lake Drive, stated that the City of Vadnais Heights has a similar ordinance that requires RV's to be enclosed. When two neighbors got into a dispute, one turned the other in for not having his motor home enclosed. The second neighbor not only turned in the first neighbor for not having his pool enclosed but 45 other neighbors that were in violation of the ordinance. The City Council was put in the position of enforcing the ordinance on all violations. A restrictive ordinance is an ugly weapon, and he would not like to see such situations develop in Lino Lakes. Mr. Richard Jensen, 737 Caribou Circle, stated that he would like to see the ordinance apply only to RV's, not snowmobiles and boats. Mr. Carl Elmquist, 6310 Otter Lake Road, stated that it is important for people to get together when ordinances are reviewed. Otherwise, it will cost residents money. He noted an example from Arden Hills where there is an ordinance prohibiting property owners' or visitors' cars from being parked in the street in front of homes after 11:00 p.m. Violators are ticketed. Mr. Paul Brand expressed his concern about excessive government regulations and lost freedoms to residents. This discussion is already considering a second ordinance change. There could be a third, fourth and fifth change. Eventually the City will want everything out of the yard so that all homes look like Leave It • •