01-07-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mermaid Tent Report January 7, 2004 Page 2 In response to Mr. Hall’s Council appearance, a meeting was arranged with Mr. Hall, myself, Fire Chief Nyle Zikmund and Fire Marshal Kathi Osmonson in an effort to resolve issues associated with exiting, occupancy load and other fire code requirements. The goal was to achieve compliance without compromising the spirit and intent of the Fire Code. The maximum occupancy was negotiated at 499 so as to not necessitate an additional means of egress to the tent. A letter was sent to Mr. Hall as a follow up to this meeting from Fire Marshal Osmonson on June 16, 2003 confirming the status of the fire code issues (see Exhibit G.) The decision was made to maintain the tent for 180 days or less per calendar year so as to avoid having to sprinkler the tent to satisfy building code requirements. Zoning Code Issues: Membrane structures and tents in general are not addressed in the Mounds View Zoning Code. W hile accessory to the principal structure, tents and similar structures cannot be considered an accessory building, as accessory buildings are not intended for public assembly. The issues relating to zoning include location, design and appearance (community aesthetics), parking impacts, duration and setbacks. Some cities choose to prohibit tents altogether while others limit the number of days a temporary tent can be erected. The Planning Commission and City Council will need to determine whether tents should be allowed at all, and if so, under what conditions. If permitted, the first concern should be public safety; and safety is addressed via the fire and building code regulations. Fire Chief Zikmund has indicated that as long as the Fire Code provisions (Chapter 24) are satisfied and Mr. Hall obtains an annual fire permit, the risk to the public is minimal. Second, allowing outdoor assembly areas such as the tent at the Mermaid will impact parking ratios and the number of stalls provided, especially if the tent can be used concurrently with other rooms or uses. The parking rations listed in City Code 1121 do not contemplate banquet areas or assembly areas other than those listed for churches, theaters or auditoriums (one parking space for every four seats.) When the City approved the Mermaid expansion, the parking ratios used were as follows: Hotel, 70 Rooms 100 stalls (1.1 spaces per room and 1 space per employee) Bowling, 32 Lanes 160 stalls (5 spaces per alley) Banquet Center, 500 seats 245 stalls (1 space per 40 square feet Nightclub & Restaurant 307 stalls (1 space per 40 square feet) Office area 9 stalls (3 spaces plus 1 space per 175 square ft) Kitchen area 7 stalls (1 space per 80 square feet) TOTAL: 828 stalls Complementary Use Reduction 20 stalls ADJUSTED TOTAL: 808 stalls If the same ratios for parking were applied to the tent as was applied to the banquet facility, an additional 95 stalls would be required. It should be noted that while parking is a concern, staff is unaware of any problems relating to a lack of parking at the Mermaid since the tent’s erection. Examples of off street parking requirements for assembly areas or banquet facilities in other communities are provided in the table on the next page.