Laserfiche WebLink
6. Special Use Permits. Many older land use ordinances and some older <br /> League publications use the term "special use permit". There is no statutory <br /> authority for a special use permit, and courts will likely assume that a special <br /> use permit is in reality a conditional use permit and require that the processes <br /> for issuing a conditional use permit contained in M. S. § 462.3595 be <br /> followed. Wherever the term "special use" occurs it should be chanted in the <br /> ordinance to "conditional use". <br /> 7. Nonconforming Uses. State Law, M. S. § 462.357, Subd. 1c (enacted by <br /> Laws.2001, Chapter 174) now provides that "any nonconformity, including <br /> the lawful use or occupation of land or premises existing at the time of the <br /> adoption of-an-additional control under M. S. Chapter 462, maybe continued; <br /> including through repair or maintenance, but if the nonconformity or <br /> occupancy is discontinued for a period of more than one year, or any <br /> nonconforming use is destroyed by fire or other peril to the extent of greater <br /> than 50 percent of its market value, any subsequent use or occupancy of the <br /> land or premises shall be a conforming use or occupancy." The new law does <br /> provide that"a municipality may by ordinance impose upon nonconformities <br /> reasonable regulations to prevent and abate nuisances and to protect the <br /> public health, welfare, or safety." The new law also provides that it "does not <br /> prohibit a municipality from enforcing an ordinance that applies to adults-only <br /> bookstores, adults-only theaters, or similar adults-only businesses, as defined <br /> by ordinance." The ordinance should be changed to quote the above <br /> language and remove any conflicting language or requirements.. <br /> 8. Fee requirements. Most, if not all ordinances, now are inconsistent with many <br /> rovision8 of the`state law concernin fees,'M.`S." 462:353-, Subd.-4;'as <br /> amended by Laws 2001, Chapter 207. <br /> • A city may prescribe fees sufficient to defray the costs incurred by it in <br /> reviewing, investigating, and administering an application for an <br /> amendment to its land use regulations (zoning and subdivision <br /> regulations, official maps, etc.), an application for a permit, or some other <br /> approval required under its land use regulations. <br /> • These fees must be established by ordinance. <br /> • These fees must be "fair, reasonable, and proportionate to the actual cost <br /> of the service for which the fee is imposed. <br /> • Cities are required to "adopt management and accounting procedures to <br /> ensure that fees are maintained and used only for the purpose for which <br /> they are collected". <br /> • If a dispute arises over a specific fee imposed by a city, the amount of the <br /> fee must be deposited and held in escrow, and the person aggrieved by <br /> the fee may appeal to district court. An approved application would <br /> proceed as if the fee had been paid, pending a decision by the court. <br /> 4 <br />