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City Council Staff Report <br /> 5/26/2026—Zoning Code Amendment <br /> City of Mounds View <br /> Page 7 <br /> (5) The demonstrated need for the use. <br /> The city has received inquiries about development at heights taller than currently allowed, <br /> demonstrating a demand for the proposed amendment. The current zoning code already <br /> considers attached accessory structures 'integral parts'of the principal structure, therefore <br /> supporting the proposed amendment. <br /> Comments: <br /> The city's Building Official provided the following comments: <br /> "The 18' max height (or match of principal) [appears to have been] intended for detached <br /> accessory structures.And that an attached garage was not subject to the 18' (or principal structure <br /> match) limit since it was `an integral part of the principal building' per ordinance. Basically, <br /> meaning as long as it was attached to the house it was only limited to the 45' max height of an <br /> R1 structure." <br /> "[The space above the garage] would still not be connected to the house (principal structure). <br /> Meaning you would still have to exit the home - into the garage first - to access the space. I <br /> explained to her that since it is not connected directly to the existing habitable space and `thermal <br /> envelope' of the home itself — [the] Building Code still just considers it part of the accessory <br /> structure." <br /> The Planning Commission held a public hearing and reviewed the request at their 5/6/2026 <br /> meeting. The commissioners discussed potential ways to allow attached accessory structures to <br /> be taller than the principal structure (house), while ensuring that attached accessory structures <br /> heights are not towering over existing residences. The proposed language would limit the height <br /> to 12 feet taller than the principal structure, not to exceed two stories in height. In addition, the <br /> attached accessory structure would have to adhere to the same setback requirements as the <br /> principal structure, and could not exceed the maximum height allowed in the underlying zoning <br /> district. This recommendation was reviewed by the Council, along with holding the first reading <br /> of said ordinance, at the 5/11/2026 City Council meeting. <br /> Review Period: <br /> The application was deemed complete on April 16, 2026. The 60-day deadline for final action by <br /> the City Council is set to end on June 15, 2026. <br /> Options: <br /> The City Council has the following options with this request: <br /> 1. Approve the request, with findings. <br /> a. Ordinance 1064 is included in the meeting packet. <br /> 2. Deny the request, with findings for denial. <br /> 3. Table the request for further review/study. <br /> Recommendation: <br /> Staff recommends approval of Ordinance 1064, an amendment to Sections 160.056(C)(1) and <br /> 160.087(A)(2) of the zoning code, allowing the maximum height of accessory structures to be the <br /> The Mounds View Vision <br /> A Thriving Desirable Community <br />