Memo - Zoning Amendment
MEMO
From:
City Council and Zoning and Planning Commission
Nancy Anderson
To:
Date:
Subject:
June 19, 2001
Zoning Amendments
Attached is the current months memo regarding the zoning amendments for the
regulation of vehicles. This months topic is the regulating of RVs, boats etc. In the
memo are the suggested amendments the Planning Commission has discussed to this
point.
The discussion at the work session is to review the work of the Commission up to this
point and to determine if the Commission should continue the same direction or move
into another direction.
MEMO
To:
Zoning and Planning Commission
From:
Nancy Anderson
Date:
June 18, 2001
Subject:
. Discussion on regulating non-passengers vehicles
I. INTRODUCTION.
There have been some concerns regarding the number of cars parked on lots, where they are
parked, and also the number of accessory buildings allowed on the lots. It was determined that
the Planning. Commission will discuss a topic a month to review various amendments to the
zoning ordinance. The Planning Commission topic for June is the parking and storage of non-
passenger vehicles.
II. EXISTING ZONING ORDINANCE REQUIREMENTS.
Parking cars
Section 550.01 Subd. 3 Yards Parking areas shall be subject to front yard setback requirements
in accordance with the district in which such parking areas are located.
Cars or other vehicles can park behind the front yard setback and in the side and rear yards.
There is no limit on the amount of cars.
Parking of boats. trailers. RVs etc.
Section 530.11 i) The storage outside of a building but not on a parking space which was
included to meet the minimum standards of this code, one building for winter ice fishing or one
boat or one trailer or one camper or one mobile home provided none of the above mentioned
items are over 18 feet in length. Said storage shall not be in the front yard.
The existing ordinance allows one recreational type vehicle on a lot.
III. EXISTING CITY CODE REQUIREMENTS.
1325.03 Parking or storage for Repair. or Maintenance of Bus. Camper. Truck. Tractor. Semi-
Trailer. Racing or Junk Cars or other Vehicles on Public and Private Property. No person shall
cause or permit the parking, keeping or storage for more than two hours of any bus, camper,
truck, tractor, semi-trailer, racing or junk cars or other similar vehicles for the purpose of repair,
replacement or exchange of parts or any other maintenance work thereon, in or on any public
street, alley, road, highway, parking lot, park or other public property or premises in. or on any
private lands or premises unless such vehicles on any such private lands be within and enclosed
building.
III. OTHER CITIES ORDINANCES.
FRIDLEY
The required parking stall shall not be located in any portion of the required front yard, except on
a driveway or hardsufaced parking space approved by the City, and setback a minimum of three
(3) feet from the side property line, except as agreed to by adjacent property owners.
No outside parking or storage of motor vehicles shall occur except on approved hardsurface
driveways and parking stalls.
EXCELSIOR
Vehicles - Any use in and "R" (residential) zoning district shall be so operated and maintained
so as not to permit, within any front yard, rear yard, or side yard required under this ordinance, or
elsewhere unless entirely within an enclosed structure, the following:
Except as specifically permitted in Section 1075 of this ordinance, the parking, storage, or repair,
including major auto repair, minor auto repair, and auto restoration, of any motor vehicle,
whether pared or stored on the ground, on or in a trailer or any other conveyance device unless
the same is fully enclosed, or otherwise parked or stored. Auto maintenance shall be permitted
only to a motor vehicle that is owned or regularly driven by, or leased, rented, or licensed to, an
owner or occupant of the use.
MINNETONKA
The outside parking and storage on residentially-zoned property of large numbers of vehicles and
vehicles, materials, supplies or equipment not customarily used for residential purposed in
violation of the requirements set forth below i.s declared to be a public nuisance because it (a)
obstructs views on streets and private property, (b) creates cluttered and otherwise unsightly
areas. ( c) prevents the full use of residential streets for residential parking, (d) introduces
commercial advertising signs into areas where commercial advertising sings are otherwise
prohibited, (e) decreases adjoining landowners and occupants' enjoyment of their property and
neighborhood, and (t) otherwise adversely affects property values and neighborhood patterns.
Unlawful Parking and~torage.
c. No person shall cause, undertake, permit or allow the outside parking and storage of vehicles
on residentially-zoned unless it complies with the following requirements:
1. No more than four vehicles.per lawful dwelling unit may be parked or stored anywhere
on R-l and R-2 zoned property, except as other wise permitted or required by the City
because of non-residential characteristics of the property. This maximum number does
not include vehicles of occasional guests who do not reside on the property.
11. Vehicles which are parked or stored outside in the front-yard area must be on a paved or
graveled parking or driveway area.
111. All vehicles, watercraft and ot~er articles stored outside on residential property must be
owned by a person who resides on that property. Students who are away at school for
periods of time but still claim the property as their legal residence shall be considered
residents on the property.
NEW HOPE
Use of Parking Facilities: Off-street parking facilities accessory to residential uses shall be
utilized solely for the parking passenger automobiles and/or one truck not to exceed nine
thousand (9,000) pounds gross capacity for each dwelling unit. Under no circumstances shall
required parking facilities accessory to residential structures be used for the storage of
commercial vehicles or for the parking of automobiles belonging to the employees, owners,
t~nants or customers of nearby business or manufacturing establishments.
Use of Parking Areas: Required off-street parking space in all districts shall not be used for open
storage of goods (such as boats, camp trailers, winger fish houses, semi-trailers; construction
equipment, or other such items) or for the storage of vehicles which are inoperable or for sale or
for rent.
RICHFIELD
Permitted uses. Subdivision 1. General rule. Recreational vehicles and equipment may be
parked or stored in a residential zoning district or in portions of planned unit development
districts designated for residential uses as follows:
a. On any rear or side yard of a lot except the side yard of a corner lot adjacent to the street.
b. Not closer than three feet to any building or structure, including fences.
c. In an established driveway of a lot but not closer than three feet to any building or
structure not beyond the lot line and not closer than 12 feet to the curb line of the street
abutting an established driveway.
Prohibited uses. A recreational vehicle may not be stored, parked or utilized in residential
zoning district or in portions of planned unit development districts designated for residential uses
as follows:
a. recreational vehicles and equipment shall not be used as a permanent residence;
b. a recreational vehicle which is in a state of externally visible disrepair or partial
construction must be stored or parked in a rear or side yard but not closer than three feet
to any building or structure and for not more than one year.
IV. COMMISSION SUGGESTED CHANGES.
No more than three (3) passenger vehicles can be parked or stored outside an enclosed building
at a single family residential. For a duplex, six (6) passenger vehicles can be parked or stored
outside. If there are more than three persons residing at a single family dwelling who have valid
Minnesota driver's licenses showing the residence address; then the total number of passenger
vehicles allowed to be parked outside is increased to a number equal to the number of licensed
drivers residing at the property, plus one passenger vehicle. The provisions of this paragraph
shall not apply during snow emergencies.
All vehicles must be stored on an improved surface. This improved surface shall be bituminous,
concrete, or other hard surface material approved by the city, to control dust and drainage.
Total parking and driveway area does not occupy more than 30 percent of the front yard and the
average width of a driveway shall not be mote than 24 feet.
One vehicle may be parked on the garage side yard on a residentially zoned lot provided the
vehicle is five feet or more from the property line.
There shall be no parking of vehicles in the rear yard, except for the following:
1. One vehicle can be parked next to a garage on an improved parking space in the rear yard.
2. If the lot does not have a garage in the rear yard, one vehicle may be parked on an improved
parking space in the rear yard. '
IV. STAFF SUGGESTED CHANGES.
Allowed to park one non-passenger vehicle on a residential lot.
One recreational vehicle over 22 feet in length maybe parked in back yard, no closer than
five feet to any lot line- screening is required.
One recreational vehicle less than 22 feet in length, may be parked in back yard, no closer
than five feet to any lot line - no screening is required.
No non-passenger vehicle can be parked on a residential lot if the vehicle is not owned or
leased by the occupant of the premises where it is parked or is a commercial vehicle owned
by the employer of an occupant who is using the vehicle for business purposes.
NEW DEFINITIONS
Commercial Vehicles. A motor vehicle is a commercial vehicle if:
1. The vehicle is a dump truck, a step van, . a tow truck, a semi tractor or trailer, a tank truck, a
tractor, a bus, a cargo truck, a construction vehicle or equipment, an earth moving vehicle or
equipment, van or pickup with a manufacturer's nominal rated carrying capacity of more
than one ton, or any other vehicle which is used in connection with commercial activities;
2. Commercial equipment has been added to the vehicle such as winches or snow plows;
3. Commercial racks have been added to the vehicle for the purpose. of holding equipment or
materials;
4. The vehicle is a pickup with a non-standard pickup box; or
5. The vehicle is a trailer loaded with another commercial vehicle or commercial equipment.
Ice Fish House. A shelter on ice for the catching of fish. A fish house may also be referred to
as a dark house.
Junk Vehicle means any motor vehicle that (1) is extensively damaged, with the damage
including such things as broken or missing wheels, motor, drive train, or transmission; (2) is
apparently inoperable; (3) does not have a valid, current registration plate; or (4) has an
approximate fair market value equal to the approximate value of the scrap in it.
Non-passenger Vehicle. A commercial or recreational vehicle or trailer.
Parking Space. An improved paved or gravel area on a lot or within a building intended for
parking of a motor vehicle which has a means of access to a public street. This term is used
interchangeably with parking stall and parking facility.
Passenger Vehicle. An automobile, station wagon, van, sports utility vehicle, minivan, pickup
truck, or motor cycle designed and primarily intended for on-street operation. Passenger
vehicles do .not include commercial vehicles, military vehicles, recreational vehicles, racing cars
or stock cars.
Trailer. Any vehicle designed for carrying property on its own structure and for being drawn by
. a motor vehicle.
Trailer bed. That portion of a trailer that is designed to make contact with and bear the weight of
the load to be carried.
Recreational Vehicle
1. Travel trailers including those that telescope or fold down, chassis mounted campers, house
cars. ~otor homes, tent trailers, slip in campers and converted vans that are motor homes as
defined herein.
2. Motor Home. A vehicle that provides temporary .living quarters. A vehicles provides
temporary living quarters if it (a) is not used as the residence of the owner or occupant; (b) is
used for temporary living quarters by the owner or occupant while engaged in recreation or
vacation activities; and (c) is self-propelled or capable of being towed on public roads.
3. A non-motorized trailer intended and generally used for transporting boats.
4. Snowmobiles, all terrain vehicles, boats and any type of water craft. Such vehicles which are
placed on a utility trailer shall, together with the trailer, be considered a single recreational
vehicle.
Stock Car. A motor vehicle of standard design and construction which is modified, adapted or
altered in any manner to increase its speed or safety, and designed or intended for operation on a
speedway, racetrack, or other facility used or designed for high speed contests between (2) or
more vehicles or for timing of speed.