Agenda Packets - 2004/02/02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF CRYSTAL TEMPORARY STRUCTURES REPORT Characteristics: Temporary structures with metal or wood supports and canvas, tarp or membrane exterior; most generally used as carports or storage structures for recreational vehicles and household items. Current ordinance: 515.01, Subd. 8 Uses not provided for within zoning districts. “Whenever in any zoning district a use is neither specifically permitted nor denied, the use shall be considered prohibited.” “Temporary structures” are not specifically permitted in the current ordinance; therefore, enforcement to date is characterized by ordering the removal of such structures. This approach is the result of a fairly strict interpretation of the ordinance. Someone might argue that these structures, temporary or not, are “accessory structures,” and thereby permitted by right. If treated as accessory structures, temporary structure placement and property coverage and setbacks would apply; i.e., located in rear yard only, no more than 15 feet in height, 3 feet from any lot line. Even if our current interpretation would be to consider such structures as “accessory structures,” they would not be permitted in the front or side yards, which is generally where we find they have been placed. Building and Fire Codes: The newly adopted State Building and Fire Codes now requires building permits for temporary structures to ensure they are adequate to handle dead and live loads, to ensure proper anchoring and to ensure property placement and separation from adjacent structures. (Note: These building and fire code requirements would be applicable only if such structures were permitted by local zoning code.) Other cities: Woodbury: Cloth, canvass, plastic sheets and tarps and similar materials…..are not allowed as primary materials on accessory structures. Exceptions: greenhouses, accessory structures in the urban reserve district, agricultural buildings as defined by Minnesota Statutes. The probation is driven by aesthetics (“unsightly materials”).