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City Council Staff Report 5/26/2026—Zoning Code Amendment City of Mounds View Page 6 Amend—increase height allowed for accessory structures when they are attached This could balance any concerns with built form of development. In the case of our applicant, the change would need to allow an attached structure to be taller than the house. An example would be: Accessory structures that are attached to the principal structure shall be limited to a maximum height of 30 feet. The concern from staff under this scenario would be how to treat space above an attached garage that is not garage space. Would this space be considered, for the purposes of this height requirement, part of the accessory structure, and therefore limited in height? If the space above a garage is not accessible from the house (meaning one must be in the garage to access the space) should it be limited in height? Keep code as-is Denying the requested amendment would result in the applicant needing a variance for their proposed project. Variances must meet the criteria in Section 160.466. The threshold for approving a variance can be difficult to meet, especially a variance to exceed height requirements. Criteria: The zoning code lists criteria for the city to consider when reviewing an amendment to the zoning code, per Section 160.450(E). These are listed below in italics, with comments from staff following: (1) Relationship to Municipal Comprehensive Plan; The 2040 Plan does not explicitly discuss accessory structures. The following goals and policies in the Plan would appear to support a change to the requirements or standards for accessory structures: Housing Policy Goal #2: Maintain the residential character of Mounds View. Housing Policy Goal #2, Policy #1: Preserve single-family neighborhoods. Housing Policy Goal#3: Support a mix of housing types reflective of the needs and desires of the community. (2) The geographical area involved; The proposed changes would apply to single-family residential zones of the city. This would include the R-1, R-2, R-3, as well as the R-4 zone. Such a change would give property owners more flexibility in designing additions and changes to their homes, while still limiting built form to the same height requirements of a house. (3) Whether the use will tend to or actually depreciate the area in which it is proposed; There is no evidence on how the proposed amendment would impact property values. (4) The character of the surrounding area; and The city already has instances of tuck-under garages or split level homes, though few examples of an attached garage being taller than the house. The proposed amendment would give property owners more flexibility in designing additions and changes to their homes, while still limiting built form to the same height requirements of a house. The Mounds View Vision A Thriving Desirable Community