Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report - Screening 6.24.20191 STAFF REPORT DATE: June 24, 2019 REGULAR ITEM #: TO: Planning Commission FROM: Ben Prchal, City Planner AGENDA ITEM: Screening Requirements in the Rural Residential Zoning District REVIEWED BY: Ken Roberts, Planning Director BACKGROUND: City Staff is continuing the amendment process for addressing trailer/recreational vehicle storage on residential properties, firewood, and other items required for screening as directed by the Planning Commission work plan. Staff has been dealing with code enforcement regarding boat/trailer storage on a regular basis. Throughout the enforcement process, of course, many of the residents feel that it is not unreasonable to keep their boat or lawn/landscaping trailer in the front driveway. On June 10th, 2019 the Planning Commission reviewed the proposed code changes and offered several suggestions for Staff to make to the proposed code. REVIEW AND ANALYSIS: With previous reports focusing in on vehicle storage and firewood, this report will incorporate the final drafted language of the entire section (154.407). If the discussed section is amended, Staff will be recommending the removal of Section 150.001 because each residential district has its own section to address screening and leaving it in place will continue to cause conflicts. Lake Elmo: Each residential district, Rural, Urban and Village Mixed use has their own screening requirement section. Those sections are 154.407, 154.456, and 154.507. Realizing that each district might have different expectations Staff has chosen to specifically focus in on the rural district (154.407). Below are the two sections of Code that would have influence over the rural district for screening requirements in the City. Staff has merged the two existing sections and combined aspects of other communities to create new language for the City (see recommendation section of the report). § 154.407 ACCESSORY USES. A. Exterior Storage in Residential Districts. All materials and equipment shall be stored within a building or be fully screened so as not to be visible from adjoining properties, except for the following: 1. Laundry drying 2. Construction and landscaping materials and equipment currently being used on the premises. Materials kept on the premises for a period exceeding six (6) months shall be screened or stored out of view of the primary street on which the house fronts. 3. Agricultural equipment and materials, if they are used or intended for use on the premises. 4. Off-street parking and storage of vehicles and accessory equipment, as regulated in Article 5, Section 154.102. (This reference should be 210) 5. Storage of firewood shall be kept at least ten (10) feet from any habitable structure and screened from view from adjacent properties. 6. Outdoor parking § 150.001 PROHIBITED WITHOUT SCREENING. (A) Storage of property in Agricultural and Residential districts. All personal property shall be stored within a building or fully screened so as not to be visible from adjoining properties and public streets, except for the following: (1) Laundry, drying; (2) Recreational equipment commonly used in residential yards; (3) Construction and landscaping materials, and equipment currently (within a period of 6 months) being used on the premises; 2 (4) Off-street parking of licensed operable passenger automobiles and pick-up trucks; (5) Boats and trailers less than 25 feet in length, if stored in the rear yard more than 10 feet distant from any property line; (6) Merchandise being displayed for sale in accordance with the provisions of the zoning code; (7) Farm implements in the AG Zoning District; and/or (8) Firewood storage for personal use. FISCAL IMPACT: Staff does not directly foresee a fiscal impact. However, amending the code may decrease the number of complaints received which would reduce Staff time dedicated to code enforcement. COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATION Staff is looking for final comments on the following proposed language. A public hearing will be scheduled for the July 8th Planning Commission meeting for formal action on the Code changes. As proposed, items would be allowed without screening in the rural zoning districts (A, RR, RT, RS, and RE). The proposed amendments are in red. No parking of commercial trailers is covered in Section 154.210 H. 1. Laundry drying 2. Construction and landscaping materials and equipment currently being used on the premises. Materials kept on the premises for a period exceeding six (6) months shall be screened or stored out of view of the primary street on which the house fronts. 3. Agricultural equipment and materials, if they are used or intended for use on the property. 4. Off-street parking and storage of trailers 25ft in length or less as regulated in Article 7, Section 154.210, are licensed (when applicable) and kept in good and operable condition. a. Trailers shall be licensed to a resident of the property. b. Residential properties are allowed to store one trailer (boat trailer, snowmobile trailer, utility trailer, recreational vehicle, etc.) within the front yard. All other trailers must be stored either in the side or rear yard, and must be at least 5 ft. from all property lines. c. All trailers must be stored on a durable surface with suitable drainage that is not subject to rutting and/or erosion. d. Trailers must not be used as temporary or permanent storage of items as described in Chapter 96 of the City Code. 5. Agricultural equipment and materials, if they are used or intended for use on the premises. 6. Firewood storage, for personal use only. a. Firewood must be stacked in a stable manner, cannot exceed 5 feet in height, and stored only in the side or rear yards. In the case of properties with multiple frontages, wood shall not be stored on a side that abuts a public street.