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Item No: 08C �,�T Meeting Date: May 26, 2026 MOU-NDS VIE Type of Business: CB Administrator Review: NA City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and Mounds View City Council From: Evan Monson, AICP, Stantec, City Planner Item Title/Subject: Zoning Code Amendment Applicant: Heidi Schroeder Request: Secon Reading and Approval of Ordinance 1064 Zoning Code Amendment request to amend City Code Sections regarding height of accessory structures Introduction: The city's Zoning Code (Chapter 160 of the city code) regulates development within the city. The code establishes different requirements based on zones, as well as whether a structure is the main or primary building on a lot (referred to as the principal structure) or if it is an accessory structure. Requirements for an accessory structure and a principal structure can vary. Note that staff will use the terms `building' and `structure' interchangeably in this report. The city's current code requirements establish height limitations for principal structures located in the R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-5 zones of "...two and one-half stories or 45 feet."per Section 160.056(C)(1). Accessory structures are limited to a height of 18 feet or that of the principal structure, whichever is less. This is listed in Sections 160.056(C)(6) and 160.087(A)(2) of the code. Section 160.087(A)(2), which covers requirements of accessory uses in the R-1 zoning district, more specifically states that "Accessory buildings shall not exceed 18 feet or that of the principal structure, whichever is less, in height...". The applicant owns the property at 8150 Eastwood Road. They are working on an expansion of the existing garage that is attached to their single story house. The project would expand the one stall garage into two stalls, and would add living space above the parking space. The garage would be a height of approximately 26 feet. Upon submittal of plans for a building permit for their project, staff notified the applicant that their project would result in an accessory structure that is exceeding the height requirements of the R-1 zone, as the existing house is only 18 feet tall. The applicant had the option to request a variance, or to request an amendment to the code requirements. Given the standards for granting a variance, and issues staff has found with the current code language as-is, the applicant is requesting an amendment to the Zoning Code, to allow attached accessory structures to be treated to the same height requirements appliable to a principal structure. A request to amend the text of the code is considered a `legislative request', as the city is reviewing and setting the regulatory standards by which development will have to adhere to. Sections 160.450 and 160.451 outlines the process to review an amendment to the city's Zoning Code. Such a request is reviewed by the Planning Commission, and approved or denied by the City Council. Ordinances require two readings before the City Council. The Planning