Ordinance to Amend City Code Section 117-349 (Accessory Uses and Buildings)

At a recent Work Session, the City Council reviewed a list of potential amendments to the City's Zoning Code related to accessory structures and buildings.  Based on Council input, Staff is forwarding a proposed ordinance to reflect that discussion.

The Public Hearing was properly notified in the Anoka County Union, the City's official newspaper for Public Notices.

The proposed amendments are intended to better reflect the future land use vision of the different residential land uses and provide for additional flexibility and clarification within each zoning district.  Specifically, the ordinance amends the Code as follows:

• Provides for separate sub-sections for MUSA and Rural Developing categories in order to allow for use of metal panel (pole barn) structures in the Rural Developing area.
• Excludes attached garages from square footage calculations to provide for additional square footage per lot (still need to meet maximum building coverage requirements).
• Provides for better design standards for metal panel structures in order to allow for a broader use in the Rural Developing area.
• Provides for an administrative process for two-story accessory structures.
• Provides for clarification on driveway requirements for certain structures.
• Provides for additional flexibility within environmental overlay districts.

The impetus for the amendment is based on a City Council strategic goal to look at better residential design and architectural standards and provide for additional accessory structure space based on recent amendments to the public nuisance ordinance.  The additional square footage is intended to allow for enclosed space to store various items that are addressed by off-street parking and blight regulations without the additional process of a conditional use permit.  Over the past several years, the City has established a consistent policy in permitting larger accessory buildings.  Many of these conditions included in conditional use permits can now be processed administratively.  The amendment also protects the residential and architectural character of our residential neighborhoods by providing design standards and flexible tools.

Amendments are being processed as part of regular staff duties.

Staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council adopt the ordinance to amend City Code Section 117-349 (Accessory uses and buildings).

Motion to recommend that the City Council adopt the ordinance to amend City Code Section 117-349 (Accessory uses and buildings).