Zoning Code Update Discussion

Over the past year, staff and the Planning Commission have been working on updating the zoning portion of Chapter 117.  This chapter has had several topic-based updates over the years, but nothing comprehensive.  Cities are required to review their Zoning Codes after the adoption of a Comprehensive Plan to ensure the tools are in place to implement the Comprehensive Plans.  

Ramsey's Zoning Code is cumbersome to navigate, has lots of inconsistencies, has lots of redundancies, and has several burdensome regulations.  Goals of this update are to make it easy to use and understand, to be consistent, and to make it less onerous for residents and businesses to invest in their properties.  

The City Council introduced Ordinance #23-14 on August 8.  At that meeting, it was noted that the Planning Commission requested that the City Council dive into two topics more in depth: The definition of "Family" and regulations around car dealers.  Both topics were discussed at the September 26, 2023 work session. Other topics that need further discussion include the following:

Residential Lot Sizes
The proposed draft Zoning Code does not substantially change the lot areas for any of the residential zoning districts, except for the proposed R-1A district.  This district will generally replace the current R-1 MUSA-80 district.  The current regulation is an 80-foot wide lot with a 10,890 square foot area (quarter-acre).  The proposed lot regulations are a 75 foot width with an area of 10,000 square feet.  This slight reduction is proposed in an attempt to meet the Low Density Residential density of between 3.0 and 4.0 units per acre.  

Home Occupation Permits
Following the Council Work Session on May 9, staff adjusted the draft regulations based on the Council's discussion.  The proposed language is an attempt to clarify what is allowed and what is not allowed in keeping with the residential characteristics of a neighborhood.  It also attempts to treat occupations with similar impacts the same.  For example, a piano teacher teaching one student currently does not need a Level-II HOP while a beautician cutting one client's hair does (proposed is that neither occupation would need a Level-II HOP).  

Residential Uses
There has been some discussion about micro hotels, rooming houses, and other similar quasi-business residential enterprises in residential neighborhoods.  Is this something that the Council would like to allow or not allow?  The City cannot regulate whether a home is rented, leased, or owned.  We can apply our rental licensing regulations to ensure a safe and well-maintained property.  The definition of "family" discussed earlier can help with regulating these uses.  

Map
Since the public hearing, staff is proposing some changes to the proposed Zoning Map:

• Lord of Life Church - 14501 Nowthen Blvd. NW - at their request to keep the R-1/R-2/R-3 zoning consistent with what it is currently and to deal with a potential development rezoning in the future.  
• Voice of Hope Church Property - 15620 Armstrong Blvd. NW - from proposed Rural Residential (RR) to Public/Institutional (PI) based on their plans to build a church in the upcoming years.  
• Non-residential properties in the vicinity of Riverdale Drive/139th Lane/Feldspar St. NW - from proposed B-2 to B-1 to be consistent with the retail and office limitations of the current MU-PUD zoning in proximity to the residential uses.  
• COR Parcel 46 - The EDA and City Council have supported portions of Parcel 46 for multi-family and detached townhome uses.  The map has been updated to show the residential portions as COR-4b instead of COR-2.  

 

60 Minutes

All costs associated with this work was done as a part of staff's duties.  No outside consultants were used on this project.  

Todd A. Larson, Planning Manager

Possible Outcomes:

1. Provide staff direction on any text and/or map changes the Council would like to see for final adoption on October 24; or
2. Provide staff direction on any future work session discussion topics.