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Item No: 7L Meeting Date: June 12, 2006 Type of Business: CB Administrator Review: ______ City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: James Ericson, Community Development Director Item Title/Subject: First Reading and Introduction of Ordinance No. 773, an Ordinance Amending Chapters 1102 and 1103 of the Mounds View Zoning Code Relating to Fences, Retaining Walls and Landscaping Introduction: The City Council asked the Planning Commission to examine the Zoning Code relative to fences, retaining walls and terraces, and to provide a recommendation as to potential Code amendments, if any are deemed appropriate. On April 19, 2006, Staff provided the Commission with detailed information and examples of how other communities define fences, retaining walls and terraces and provided the Commission with a variety of Code excerpts, handouts and requirements from our neighboring nearby communities for reference. Also included for information purposes were photos depicting fences, retaining walls and terraces. The Planning Commission reviewed the sections of Mounds View’s code relating to fences, terraces and retaining walls. As a result of that discussion, staff was directed to prepare an amendment to the Code to define retaining walls and to provide for language that would clarify retaining wall setbacks. At this same meeting, the Commission chose to leave the language pertaining to fences and terraces relatively unchanged. The Planning Commission adopted a resolution on May 17, 2006 which recommends such an amendment for the City Council’s consideration. Discussion: Based upon the direction at the April 19th and May 3rd Planning Commission meetings, staff prepared language that would amend Chapters 1102 and 1103 of the Zoning Code. In addition to adding a definition for “Retaining Walls”, staff suggested adding a definition for “Landscaping”, which is an undefined requirement in Chapter 1103. A final change considered was the addition of a new subdivision articulating “Prohibited Materials” such as barbed wire, razor wire, or fences wired or designed to conduct and emit electrical charges. Recommendation: Staff and the Mounds View Planning Commission recommend the City Council favorably consider the first reading and introduction of the attached Ordinance 773, an ordinance amending Chapters 1102 and 1103 of the Mounds View Zoning Code relating to Fences, Retaining Walls and Landscaping. The public hearing, second reading and adoption of the ordinance will be scheduled for June 26, 2006. _____________________________________ James Ericson Community Development Director