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Item No: 7A <br />Meeting Date: January 2, 2013 <br />Type of Business: Other Planning Activity <br />City of Mounds View Staff Report <br /> <br /> <br />To: Mounds View Planning Commission <br />From: Heidi Heller, Planning Associate <br />Item Title/Subject: Discuss Proposed Code Amendment for Accessory <br />Buildings <br /> <br />Introduction: <br />Community Development staff is asked by residents what styles or types of “buildings” or <br />materials are allowed to be used as accessory buildings. The zoning code specifies a few <br />types of materials that are not allowed (such as tubular and canvas structures) and states <br />that the exterior must be weather resistant. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br />The Planning Commission has made changes to the zoning code regarding accessory <br />buildings, and there has been a lot of discussion over how much to regulate the styles of the <br />accessory buildings. Regulations for the roof pitch and style were added to the Code a few <br />years ago, but in general, the Planning Commission has decided not to regulate the styles of <br />accessory buildings that are allowed. The exception to this is when a conditional use permit <br />is approved for a structure over 952 square feet. One of the conditions is that the accessory <br />building shall have a uniform appearance with the house. <br /> <br />City staff has recently discovered a residential property in the City that is using a steel <br />shipping container as a shed. Staff does not feel that this type of structure is appropriate in a <br />residential district (or possibly in any zoning district), and is suggesting that the Planning <br />Commission consider adding language to the zoning code that would not allow these to be <br />used as storage buildings. <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br />Staff recommends that the Planning Commission review and discuss the information, and <br />provide staff with direction about the proposed amendment. <br /> <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted. <br /> <br />Heidi Heller <br />Planning Associate <br /> <br />Attachments: <br />1. Photo of shipping container <br />2. Zoning Code sections that regulate accessory buildings <br />