Skateboard Ramps-Residential Dist.•
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PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT:
Planning Commission Report
SKATEBOARD RAMPS
Residential Districts
No.
APRIL 21, 1987
PURPOSE: To review and recommend action on skateboarding
ramps within residential districts.
BACKGROUND:
Last summer a number of skateboard ramps were built and used
on residential lots which caused many neighbors to complain.
Most specifically they were concerned about the noise
generated by the use of these ramps. Two months ago at the
Zoning and Planning Commission meeting an ordinance was
presented by staff to prohibit skateboard ramps within
residential districts. At this meeting, many "skateboarders"
appeared to speak against the ordinance and to seek another
solution. The Commission continued the item for 60 days to
have the staff review this matter and to see if some other
solution could be worked out to satisfy all concerned
parties.
ANALYSIS: Since the February meeting I have attempted to
contact a number of sources to determine how the City might
best deal with this issue. I called Capotola, California, a
city which I had heard supposedly attempted to deal with
skateboarding. This planner stated they did not have any
problems with ramps, but with skateboarding on the public
right -of -ways. They have since regulated skateboarding on
public right -of -ways. In talking with them, they were
unaware of any city in California that has dealt with the
skateboard ramps issue.
I wrote the National Skateboard Association concerning
construction standards and did not receive a response. I
tried calling their office. in California and only received
an answering machine.
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The skateboarders that appeared at the February meeting have
not contacted any of the staff.
It is the staffs position skateboard ramps are not allowed
in residential districts. It will be impossible for the
staff to be measuring the noise levels of the ramp every
time there is a complaint. All of the negative concerns
related to skateboard ramps cannot adequately be dealt with
through a conditional use permit process. As was stated at
the last meeting, the City of Minneapolis has banned
skateboards in residential areas. Such a ban could still
make them an allowable use in commercial and possibly
industrial districts.
If the Commission feels that the best way to deal with
skateboard ramps is with a conditional use permit, the
following are some suggested conditions:
1. Skateboard ramps will not be used after 9:00 p.m.
2. Skateboard ramps will conform with the standards
of 555.01
3. Skateboard ramps shall be located as not to
encourage trespassing upon abutting lots
4. Skateboard ramps shall be located entirely within
the rear and side yard buildable area.
5. When not in use, the skateboard ramps will be
secured to discourage trespassing.
6. Skateboard ramps will not be over 15 feet in
height, measured to the highest point.
7. Completely enclosed by screened fence (5 -6 feet
high).
Respectfully submitted,
1\arPICA A CAIAds fom
Nancy S. Anderson
Commu ity Development
Analyst