HomeMy WebLinkAboutFINAL ORDINANCE NO. 08-128CITY OF LAKE ELMO
COUNTY OF WASHINGTON
STATE OF MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO. 08-128
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LAKE ELMO CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES PERTAINING
TO COMMERCIAL WEDDING CEREMONY VENUES
SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Lake Elmo hereby ordains that Title XV:
Land Usage; 5 154.310, Subd. D is hereby amended by adding the following:
D. Commercial Wedding Ceremony Venue. A commercial wedding venue is allowed as an
accessory use with an interim use permit in the A — Agriculture, RT — Rural Transitional,
and RR -Rural Residential zoning districts on parcels 10 acres in size or greater. The
establishment of a Commercial Wedding Venue on RR parcels is limited to those sites
meeting the following criteria: 1) the site has historically been used as a farmstead for the
surrounding agricultural land; and 2) the use will incorporate a barn or other historical
agricultural building over 75 years of age for the wedding ceremonies.
The suitability of a parcel for a wedding venue shall be determined by the characteristics
of the site and by the unique capacity of the parcel to accommodate the use while
preserving the essential rural character of the neighborhood and the site on which the use
is located, by the ability of the parcel to accommodate the use without negative impact on
the general health, safety, and welfare of the community, and by other factors the City
may deem appropriate for consideration. The use must adhere to the following standards:
1. Ownership. The property will be the primary residence of the venue operator(s).
The operator or responsible designee (a family member, employee, or responsible
designee at least 21 years of age) must be on the premises for the duration of each
event.
2. Maximum Number of Guests. The maximum number of guests is limited to 200
for each event.
3. Food and Beverages. The serving of food and beverages is permitted only as part
of the ceremony.
4. Seasonal Operation. Ceremonies are limited to no more than four per week, no
more than 2 per day, and are permitted only during the months of May through
October.
5. Hours of Operation. Events shall only be allowed between the hours of 10:00 a.m.
and 10:00 p.m. All guests and staff must vacate the premises by 10:00 p.m. All
lights associated with the event must be turned off by 10:00 p.m. Any one
ceremony is limited to a maximum duration of three (3) hours.
6. Overnight Accommodations. No overnight accommodations are allowed.
Off -Street Parking. Off-street parking shall be required in the ratio of one (1)
parking space for each three attendees based on the maximum number of attendees
planned for the site. The off-street parking area and the number of parking spaces
shall be documented on the required site plan. Off-street parking shall be exempt
from the paving and curbing requirements in Section 154.210.
8. Setbacks. The minimum setbacks from neighboring houses and property lines for
the various activities associated with the wedding venue shall be as follows:
Parking: 100 feet from residential property lines; 200 feet from
neighboring houses.
ii. Outdoor Activity Spaces: 300 feet from residential property lines; 400 feet
from neighboring houses.
iii. Indoor Activity Spaces: 300 feet from residential property lines; 400 feet
from neighboring houses.
9. Landscaping/Screening. Landscaping may be required to buffer the use from
adjacent land uses and to provide screening when such screening does not
presently exist on the site. A landscape plan shall be submitted at the time of
application for an Interim Use Permit.
10. Grading. Any proposed grading shall observe all requirements of Section 151.017
of the City Code. If a grading plan is required, it shall be submitted in conjunction
with an application for an Interim Use Permit.
11. Traffic. A transportation management plan shall be submitted as part of an
application for an Interim Use Permit. The plan shall address traffic control,
including traffic movement to the public street system and impact on the
surrounding roadways.
12. Structures. All existing or proposed structures to be used for the wedding
ceremony venue shall be inspected by the City's Building Official and must meet
applicable Building Code requirements.
Temporary Structures. Temporary Structures, including tents and
canopies, may be allowed. Tents and canopies may be erected no more
than (1) day prior to an event and must be removed no more than 72 hours
following the event.
13. Application. An application for a commercial wedding venue shall follow the
application and review procedures for an Interim Use Permit as specified in
Section 154.107. In addition to the submission requirements of Section 154.107,
an application for a commercial wedding venue shall include the following
information:
i. The expected number of attendees per ceremony;
I The number of ceremonies per year;
iii. The number of employees;
iv. The hours of operation;
v. Sanitary facilities;
vi. Lighting;
vii. Sound amplification to be used and a plan to minimize any amplified
sounds;
viii. Temporary structures or tents to be used in association with the planned
events;
ix. Signage;
x. Security to be provided;
xi. Location of all trash receptacles;
xii. Traffic management plan;
xiii. Other documentation as specified herein;
14. Sanitary Facilities. Sanitary facilities adequate for the number of attendees shall
be provided. Portable toilets may be approved for temporary use, and must be
screened from view from roads and neighboring properties by landscaping or a
wooden enclosure. No portable toilets shall be located closer than 400 feet from a
neighboring residential structure.
15. Lighting. Lighting associated with the wedding venue shall be limited to downcast
and shielded fixtures so that the source of the light is not visible from adjacent
roads or neighboring properties. Lighting shall comply with Section 150.035 of
the City Code.
16. Noise. All wedding venues shall comply with City's noise standards found in
Section 130.45 through 130.48 of the City Code.
17. Sound Amplification. Amplification of music and participants and is allowed only
in conjunction with a wedding ceremony. There shall be no other amplification of
music or sound outside of the ceremony.
18. Waste. All solid waste must be stored in a manner that prevents the propagation,
harborage, or attraction of flies, rodents, or other nuisance conditions and must be
removed at least once every seven days by a licensed solid waste hauler.
19. Liability. The applicant shall secure adequate liability coverage, which shall be in
place at least one week prior to any event.
20. Other Activities. Other than the commercial wedding ceremonies authorized under
this section, no other commercial ceremonial activities may be conducted on the
site.
(Ord. 08-080, passed 5-21-2013)
(Ord. 08-28, passed 5-6-2014)
SECTION 2. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon
adoption and publication in the official newspaper of the City of Lake Elmo.
SECTION 3. Adoption Date. This Ordinance 08-128 was adopted on this 16 day of
February, 2016, by a vote of 3 Ayes and 2 Nays.
LAKE 0 CITY COUNCIL
ike Pearson, Rayor
ATTEST:
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Ju ie ohnson ity Clerk
This Ordinance 08-128 was published on the Ih6' day of March , 2016.
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