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CR 90-94 Zoning Amendment - Storage Trailers ' • \ i Y � � F T � � April 24, 1990 tio P K \ N � Council Report: 90-94 ---� ZONING AMENDMENT - STORAGE TRAILERS �oposed Action. 5taff recommends approval of the following motion: Move to approve Resolution 90-13 adoptina for first reading and setting a date for second readina Ordinance 90-673 reaarding the use of trailers for storage in the business districts. Approval of this motion will prohibit the use of trailers for commercial and storage purposes within the business districts. overview. Staff knows of a few locations where permanently parked trailers are used as storage structures in the business districts. The existing language does not address the use of trailers for storage use in business districts. Other cities such as Wayzata have language in their zoning ordinance to prohibit the use of trailers for storage. The staff has the following concerns regarding the use of trailers for storage: 1) Storage trailers may create fire hazards and other threats to safety 2) Storage trailers serve to blight the areas in which they exist 3) Storage trailers are conducive to vermin harborage and infestation because garbage may easily accumulate under or around these structures. This proposed ordinance amendment was discussed at the December Council work session. The City Council reviewed the proposal and directed staff to �ursue this amendment. It was referred to the Zoning and Planning �mmission and the Hopkins Business Council. The Planning Commission had discussed this zoning amendment at the previous two meetings. The Commission unanimously approved resolution 90-2 recommending approval of Ordinance No. 90-673 prohibiting the use of trailers for storage in the business districts. At a previous meeting the owner of Discount Tire appeared before the Commission and stated he needed the extra space for storage. Changes have been made in the language to meet the concerns of the Commission. There was little discussion at this meeting regarding the amendment. Issues to Consider. o Why is this ordinance proposed? o Does the Comprehensive Plan address this issue? o Can the Fire Code be used because hazards exist? o What will the ordinance regulate? o What is the extent of the problem? o How will this ordinance affect existing storage trailers? o Does the Hopkins Business Council support this amendment? Supporting Information. o Analysis of issues o Photocopies of known sites o Memorandum from Hopkins Fire Marshal � o Resolution No: 90-13 o Ordinance No: 90-673 � � 1 ��.L `1��.t�� Nancy Anderson, Planner � � `� 1,�. � CR: 90-94 ZONING AMENDMENT - STORAGE TRAILERS ^ Page 2 Issues to Consider. - Why is this ordinance proposed? Staff feels that storage trailers should be regulated in the business districts for two reasons; 1) potential hazards exist with these storage trailers, and 2) storage trailers create aesthetically unpleasing conditions. This amendment will improve the current physical appearance and safety of the business districts. This ordinance will also protect the business districts from potential hazardous conditions and blight in the future. - Does the Comprehensive Plan address this issue? The following quotations were taken from the Comprehensive Plan, "Increased negative physical appearances are a threat to Hopkins, " "The City will make a conscious effort to improve its physical and non-physical image to residents and non-residents. " Also identified in the Downtown Action Plan are the following pertinent actions; 1) assist improvement of rear of buildings along Mainstreet, and 2) upgrade alleys and utilities. �°Ze Alleyscape Improvement Study by Westwood Professional Services makes �commendations regarding the visual experience of the alley. One of these recommendations includes clearing up the cluttered appearance. - Can the Fire Code be used because hazards exists? The Fire Code cannot address these storage trailers because they are on wheels. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is responsible for the safety of these units. MNDOT, however, will only get involved when these trailers are actively transporting. This creates a situation where the authority to regulate storage trailers falls between the cracks. For this reason, the proposed ordinance amendment is in front of you. - What will the ordinance regulate? Staff and the City Attorney have drafted a ordinance which would prohibit house trailers, truck trailers, motor vehicles, and similar mobile structures, from being used for storage purposes within the business districts. Exception is made as permitted in connection with construction projects, or for a temporary, specified period of time as determined and allowed by the City. ---� CR: 90-94 ZONING AMENDMENT - STORAGE TRAILERS � Page 3 Issues to Consider - continued. - What is the extent of the problem? A visual survey of business and industrial areas was conducted on November 1, 1989. The survey results show two known locations where trailers are used for commercial or storage purposes in the business districts. They include: o Discount Tire 10 17th Avenue South o Koss Paint 720 Mainstreet - How will this ordinance affect existing storage trailers? The businesses which currently use storage _trailers will immediately be notified in writing if this ordinance amendment is passed. They will given a reasonable period of time to cease the action and remove the storage trailers. Staff feels a one year grace period is a reasonable length of time for the violators to remove these trailers. - Does the Hopkins Business Council support this proposed amendment? �e Hopkins Business Council was given a presentation and asked to offer �put regarding this proposal at their January meeting. The Hopkins �3usiness Council supports the proposed amendment with the following two conditions: 1) A public hearing is scheduled 2) The affected business owners are given due process Alternatives. The Council has the following alternatives to consider: 1. Approve the zoning amendment as proposed. By approving the amendment trailers will be prohibited to be used for storage purposes in the business districts. � 2 . Deny the zoning amendment. By denying the zoning amendment the business district will continue to use trailers for storage purposes. 3 . Continue for further information. If the Council feels that additional information is needed the item should be continued. ---� tf�. 7 if �� . � � .. � : tj � yj- h�Y' ":'�y�. . �• 7./t_ ir/. .� ' •.�a�l"i .,. ;'F ��f�_ =��a4�'�w`'�! •� .•'�. A• � 1 �• � . � .. . •yit l =�x r � ` �� . . _ � __: . . . =•�cl�� ,..—.: �� ..-_�:s_.:--..;_�. . s+r,�.� -_-._�� ' .. �:�. �� =Y�� _. '� .��i "rR ��`. - - Q• _`r"..""_ -"`�' �r't_�w � � W�� ..* ..':1'. -:yY- 'f� �+y» �`�',;i; i•�. :t- �%� -�; M4'Cs�- ..�w;� �•.I. ! . �R �`. •• .t,�r�• • f �. J �r se� f1��j��''� :t C ..�.: ;:f;;'_ �,��: •' r��.� �;'�—Hr-- —t�j' + ` ? ' � ' .! �1 �w ` —� n �� _ �� . s :,� :�� : - + , - •• �'� -�-�� _-_: .: = �»:��,.i ��,:.�'�,, � � . ��i�e. � w yr i . ' . 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' .., �,: i.: • �� -- . . , , - , . i �' a ,. _. - -- _ ., .�.• '� � ' — '� .. .,�_•A ' �N � � . .. / ^� ` -� . ' E! 7 �N.r..�. K;� .;», it;•e.::.-' � 1 a i'R � ` ,o->t. � t1�1� \. 1.�I' - - . ��l dj 1 i'-• A 'y�' T� i �4.}f��..a"�.�►� ��,��YK�� ti� _+t�. r��ti�j�,��.�` � .� . ',+�5. �y.,' sr� tiv b s ..� i,w.'.l -s�+:'i��.3'.�t}`"..:z�fl�,�.,.�}✓ ' �. � '"-. . ,� � . . � � \.• �� MEMORANDUM Date: March 14, 1990 To: Shawn Drill From: George Magdal, Fire Marshal Subject: Use of Semi Trailers for Permanent Storage The Fire Prevention Bureau is in favor of an ordinance that would pro- hibit the use of a semi trailer as a permanent storage facility. Normally, semi trailers have to meet the regulations of the Department of Transportation (DOT) . The DOT regulations only apply to trailers being used for transportation. The regulations are not enforcable on trailers in storage. The fire code does address storage. The regula- tions give a choice of enforcing storage outside or storage within a structure. They do not, however, address storage in vehicles since vehicles are regulated by the DOT. A conversation with the State Fire Marshal 's Office suggested that if we are to enforce storage require- ments on semi trailers that we accept them as being a structure. This � could be quite difficult since they were constructed for transporta- tion and don't meet any of the building or fire code requirements for a structure. There are certainly fire hazards associated with semi trailers being used as storage facilities. Last year in Kansas City 5 firefighters lost their lives when a trailer on a construction site exploded. Hopkins has also had a number of fires in storage trailers. Because of their vulnerability, they are a target for arsonists. Because of the type of construction and limited access, firefighting can be very difficult. In one particular case, we had a semi trailer storing paper from a paper drive. The paper was lit on fire by an arsonist. When the fire department arrived, the fire although not large was deep within the trailer. We could not get to the fire. We ended up calling on Minnetonka Fire Dept. for assistance and tearing the trailer apart to reach the fire. Tightly packed newspaper is probably one of the least dangerous products we have in storage trailers. I currently know of 2 storage trailers containing paint products in downtown Hopkins. In another area of town we have tires being stored in a semi trailer. Tire fires are very difficult to fight. Rubber is based on petroleum products. It burns very hot and gives off a black dirty smoke. The fires are very difficult to extinguish as you may have seen on the news. ^ Page 1 of 2 � � ! � •, � It is our recommendation that over the road semi trailers should not be allowed to replace conventional storage facilities. - It is questionable which codes are applicable: - Fighting fires in semi trailers can be difficult and dangerous. - The trailers are attractive to vandals and fire setters. 0314905D .�"`. �� ` x ' `.• ^ CITY OF HOPKINS Hennepin County, Minnesota ORDINANCE NO: 90-673 AN AMENDMENT TO HOPKINS •ZONING ORDINANCE NO: 520 REGARDING USE OF TRAILERS FOR STORAGE PURPOSES IN THE BUSINESS DISTRICTS BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Hopkins as follows: That the Hopkins Zoning Ordinance No. 520. 08 be and is hereby No house trailer, truck trailer, motor vehicle or similar mobile structure of any kind shall be used for storage purposes within the business districts of the City, except that such a use may be permitted in connection with a construction project or for a temporary period of time not to exceed 30 days per year. A use prohibited herein shall be deemed to be a public nuisance and as such shall cease and be removed following due notice from the City ,� to cease and desist. First Reading May 1, 1990 Second Reading May 15, 1990 Date of Publication May 30, 1990 Date Ordinance Takes Effect June 19, 1990 Nelson W. Berg, Mayor Attest: James A. Genellie, City Clerk � A. � `• —. CITY OF HOPKINS Hennepin County, Minnesota RESOLUTION NO: 90-13 RESOLUTION MAKING FINDINGS OF FACT AND APPROVING AN ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF TRAILERS FOR STORAGE IN BUSINESS DISTRICTS WHEREAS, an ordinance to prohibit trailers used for storage in the business districts is hereby approved. WHEREAS, the procedural history of the amendment is as follows: . l. That the ordinance amendment to regulate storage trailers in the business districts was initiated by the City. 2. That the Hopkins Planning Commission, pursuant to published notice, held a public hearing on February 28, 1990 and continued on to March 27, 1990, and April 24 , 1990; all persons present at the hearing were given an opportunity to be heard. 3 . That the written comments and analysis of the --� City Staff and the Planning Commission were considered. WHEREAS, The Hopkins Business Council is in support of this ordinance for the good of the business community and the City of Hopkins. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that an ordinance to prohibit storage trailers in the business districts is recommended for approval with the following Findings of Fact; l. That storage trailers should be prohibited in the business districts for the health, safety, and welfare of the general publico 2 . That storage trailers should be prohibited in the business districts to prevent blight. Adopted this 1 day of May, 1990. Nelson W. Berg, Mayor ATTEST: � James A. Genellie, City Clerk x_ - �� -� CITY OF HOPKINS Hennepin County, Minnesota RESOLUTION NO: 90-13 RESOLUTION MAKING FINDINGS OF FACT AND APPROVING AN ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF TRAILERS FOR STORAGE IN BUSINESS DISTRICTS WHEREAS, an ordinance to prohibit trailers used for storage in the business districts is hereby approved. WHEREAS, the procedural history of the amendment is as follows: l. That the ordinance amendment to regulate storage trailers in the business districts was initiated by the City. 2 . That the Hopkins Planning Commission, pursuant to published notice, held a public hearing on February 28, 1990 and continued on to March 27, 1990, and April 24, 1990; all persons present at the hearing were given an opportunity to be heard. 3 . That the written comments and analysis of the '� City Staff and the Planning Commission were considered. WHEREAS, The Hopkins Business Council is in support of this ordinance for the good of the business community and the City of Hopkins. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that an ordinance to prohibit storage trailers in the business districts is recommended for approval with the following Findings of Fact; 1. That storage trailers should be prohibited in the business districts for the health, safety, and welfare of the general public. 2 . That storage trailers should be prohibited in the business districts to prevent blight. Adopted this 1 day of May, 1990. Nelson W. Berg, Mayor ATTEST: � James A. Genellie, City Clerk