HomeMy WebLinkAbout#15 CC Memo -Fish House exemption from Accessory StructuresMAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
DATE: May 3, 2016
REGULAR
ITEM #: 15
MOTION
AGENDA ITEM: Exempting Fish Houses from requirement that no accessory structure be constructed
prior to principal structure on a lot.
SUBMITTED BY: Stephen Wensman, Planning Director
REVIEWED BY: Councilmember Lundgren
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:
Councilmember Lundgren is requesting that the City Council direct Staff to amend the City’s Accessory
Structure ordinance to exempt “fish houses” that are 120 square feet or less in size from the requirement
that principal structures be constructed on lots prior to accessory structures in the Rural Residential
Zoning District. The ordinance amendment being requested would allow “fish houses” of 120 square feet
or less in size to be constructed and stored on lots in the Rural Residential zoning district without having
to first construct a principal structure. Fish house are considered “water oriented accessory structures” in
the Lake Elmo City Code. Accessory structures, by definition, are accessory to principal structures or uses
of property. The existing Accessory Structure Ordinance strictly prohibits any accessory structure from
being constructed on a lot until a building permit has been issued for a principal structure.
ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL:
The issue is whether an ordinance amendment is warranted to allow fish houses to be constructed on a lot
prior to the principal structure.
PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS:
Fish houses are considered to be water oriented accessory structures in the Lake Elmo City Code. By
City Code, no accessory structure can be constructed until a building permit has been issued for a primary
structure on a lot. The code provision is typical in cities in order to maintain control over use of properties
for storage and to protect the City against a proliferation of unwanted storage structures.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Potential staff time addressing accessory storage building complaints.
OPTIONS:
The City Council should consider whether to recommend having Staff and the Planning Commission
amend the Accessory Structure Ordinance.
City Council Meeting [Regular Agenda Item 15]
May 3, 2016
2
RECOMMENDATION:
Councilmember Lundgren is requesting that the City Council direct Staff and the Planning Commission
to amend the City’s Accessory Structure ordinance to exempt “fish houses” of a 120 square feet or less in
size from the requirement that principal structures be constructed on lots prior to accessory structures in
the Rural Residential Zoning District with the following motion:
“Move to direct City Staff and the Planning Commission to amend the City’s Accessory Structure
ordinance to exempt “fish houses” of a 120 square feet or less in size from the requirement that
principal structures be constructed on lots prior to accessory structures in the Rural Residential
Zoning District.”