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Item No: 2 Meeting Date: October 6, 2014 Type of Business: W orksession Administrator Review : ________ City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Heidi Heller, Planning Associate Item Title/Subject: Continued Discussion about allowing Tubular Tent Structures in the City Introduction: At the August 25, 2014 City Council meeting, a resident approached the City Council to ask why he was not allowed to have a tubular tent structure but someone else could have a greenhouse, which according to this resident, are very similar. The Council agreed to discuss the topic at a Worksession, and did so at the September Worksession meeting. No consensus was determined, so the discussion continues. Discussion: Staff’s concern with these tubular tent structures is that they deteriorate much quicker than a regular shed, particularly if they have a canvas or plastic roof, and whatever is stored underneath the tent is visible and potentially aesthetically displeasing. They are designed to cover a boat or vehicle, but other items tend to accumulate under any type of shelters. And in the winter, tarps end up attached to them to fully enclose the sides. A shed or garage will hide everything inside and the property is much cleaner and visually pleasing. In 2000 and 2009, the Council amended the Zoning Code to specifically not allow these types of structures. These temporary structures tend to get placed next to or in front of the houses and garages, and the Code specifies that all accessory buildings must be placed only in rear yards. Greenhouses were allowed because they have a specific purpose for gardening and are typically fairly small. Shoreview does not allow these types of structures. They have specific design criteria for accessory buildings and these temporary structures would not meeting those standards. New Brighton requires all accessory structures to meet the building code for snow load and ground anchoring, and temporary accessory structures are not typically able to meet those requirements. Although they did note that some of the styles that are heavy-duty and all metal may possibly be able to meet the building code requirements, so they would consider allowing them. If the Council is inclined to be more permissive with these temporary structures, staff would suggest that the Zoning Code be amended to only specifically allow ones that are completely metal. Staff also suggests that the Council continue to not allow any use of cloth, canvas, plastic or tarps on accessory structures.