06-01-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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- APPROVED - 4 years. He indicated the City has 1,776 rental units which he oversaw along with housing and code enforcement issues. Housing and Code Enforcement Inspector Swalchick reported he spent three days a week conducting rental inspections and the other two days of each week addressing code enforcement issues. He indicated the City h ad both a proactive and reactive code enforcement policy, which assisted in keeping properties in compliance with City Code while reducing neighborhood tensions. He further discussion the benefits of proactive code enforcement. Housing and Code Enforcement Inspector Swalchick reviewed the steps followed by staff for code enforcements issues. He provided further comment on the process for conducting City Code nuisance and abatements. He stated staff would rather work with the community and its residents on code enforcement issues rather than writing an administrative citation. He thanked the Commission for their time and asked if they had any comments or questions. Chair Stevenson thanked Mr. Swalchick for his thorough report. B. Discussion; Accessory Dwelling Units Planner Sevald stated in May the Council discussed a request to allow a resident to have an accessory dwelling unit/apartment above their garage. He noted the Zoning Code currently does not allow for accessory dwelling units in the R-1 zoning district. He reviewed zoning information from neighboring communities and noted this issue was growing in popularity. He requested the Commission discuss this topic and provide feedback to staff on how to proceed. Chair Stevenson thanked staff for all of the supplementary information regarding accessory dwelling units. He questioned what a temporary variance was, as was allowed in the City of Chanhassen. Planner Sevald was uncertain and guessed this was something specific to Chanhassen City Code. He anticipated that a temporary variance was similar to an interim use permit. Chair Stevenson questioned where the City of Mounds View fit into all of this. Planner Sevald reported Mounds View does not allow accessory dwelling units, but the City Council was requesting the Planning Commission to consider it. Chair Stevenson suggested the Commission discuss if these types of living units should be allowed, and if they could have a full kitchen. He understood there was a concern with these units having a separate entrance as well. He believed both of these issues should be further discussed by the Commission. Planner Sevald believed it was fairly common for a home to have something that resembled a second kitchen, perhaps in a basement. He discussed how separate entrances and limited access to the entire building created concerns.