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Item No: 6A Meeting Date: May 20, 2009 Type of Business: Discussion City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Mounds View Planning Commission From: Heidi Heller, Planning Associate Item Title/Subject: Review Proposed Code Amendments Introduction: Over the past couple of years, staff has been compiling a list of city code amendments that the City should make. Some are straightforward changes, but staff would like to discuss some of the possible changes with the Planning Commission for feedback and direction. Discussion: Here is a list of the code amendments that staff is proposing: • Remove the word “decks” from allowed encroachments (Chapter 1104.01 Subd. 5c) – the code allows certain things to encroach beyond the building setbacks, such as a front door stoop or steps, bay windows, chimneys, eaves, awnings, etc. The code currently has the word decks in this list but the code also has a specific setback requirement for decks. As such, the City should remove it from this section. • Clarify and simplify accessory building height (Chapter 1106.03 Subd. 1b). The Code currently states that accessory buildings shall not exceed 15 feet in height. The code does not specify where on the building one must measure the 15 feet. It has become standard practice by city staff to measure the 15 foot height limit at the midpoint between the eave and highest peak. This is very difficult for staff to verify during an inspection, and complicated for property owners when they are designing the building. Staff would like to change the code for accessory buildings in residential districts - the height shall not exceed 16 feet or that of the principal structure, whichever is less, as measured at the highest peak. • Add accessory building design standards (Chapter 1106.03 Subd. 1g) – this is in response to a resident who built a metal garage that somewhat resembled a “pole barn” and the neighbors were not happy about the style. There are currently very limited design standards for accessory buildings in Mounds View. Some cities have design standards and many do not. Staff feels that if the Planning Commission would like to add some additional design standards, an option could be not allowing corrugated metal siding and roofs, which is what primarily causes the building to look barn-like. • Remove the R-O, Residential-Office zoning district – there was only one property (2865 Highway 10) that was zoned R-O. The City recently rezoned this property to R-4 for the senior living development. As such, staff recommends that the City eliminate this zoning designation from the City Code.