HomeMy WebLinkAbout[05] Ordinance Amendment 52.08crrv a~ rrt: ~r~xrH
Council Agenda Item
MEETING DATE: June 2, 2008
AGENDA ITEM: Ordinance Amendment -
52.08 Non Conforming Use
SUBMITTED BY: Administration
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Recommend the Council adopt Ordinance 52.08, Non
Conforming Use causing the same to be published.
PREVIOUS PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: The Planning Commission conducted the public hearing
for the amendment to Ordinance 52.08 on April 7 2008. At the public hearing the Planning Commission
requested clarification on two provisions in the amendment -
1. Determination of Market Value: The Commission questioned who will determine the
market value and what is the process for appeal if the property owner does not agree. The
City Attorney has modified the Ordinance to add conflict resolution through the Board of
Appeals and Adjustments.
2. Building Permit -The first amendment included language that prohibited the securing of a
building permit after an event if a building permit has been secured witin 180 days of the
event. The language has been modified to remove this concern.
The Planning Commission again considered this matter on May 5, 2008. At that time the Planning
Commission requested clarification on the continuation of a non conforming use and if the language
should reference building permit within 180 days of an event or 180 after an event.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Legislature modified the Statue regarding the rebuilding
opportunity for non conforming uses if a building is destroyed beyond 5096. Since our Ordinance mirrors
State Statute our current Ordinance is in conflict with the Statute. As a result staff has recommended
updating the Ordinance.
The City Attorney has clarified that the legislation change only allowed for continuation if the property
owner secured a building permit within 180 of an event that destroyed the structure beyond 5096. No
provisions have been made for continuation after the 180 days. Therefore, the language in the
Ordinance amendment was changed to within 180 days not after 180 days.
ATTACHMENTS: Amendment to Ordinance 52.08
REQUESTED PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend the City Council adopt the Amendment
to Ordinance 52.08 causing the same to be published.
ORDINANCE 52 -ZONING ORDINANCE
Section 52.08: NON-CONFORMING USES
Subd. 1: Intent. It is not the intent of this section to encourage the non-conforming use
of land. Non-conformities are declared by this Ordinance to be incompatible with permitted uses
in the districts in which the non-conformity occurs. Anon-conforming use of a structure, a
non-conforming use of land, or anon-conforming use of a structure and land in combination
shall not be extended or enlarged after passage of this Ordinance by attachment on a building or
land of additional signs intended to be seen from off the premises, or by the addition of other
uses of a nature which would be generally prohibited in the district in which such use is located.
Subd. 2: Continuation of Non-Conformin Use. Any nonconformity, including the
lawful use or occupation of land or premises existing at the time of the adoption of this
Ordinance may be continued, including through repair, replacement, restoration, maintenance, or
improvement, but not including expansion, unless the nonconformity or occupancy ceases for a
period of one year or any nonconforming use is destroyed by fire, collapse, explosion or acts of
God, or public enemy or other peril to the extent of 50 percent of its market value, as determined
by an independent appraisal, and no building permit has been applied for within 180 days of
when the property is damaged. The City shall obtain the appraisal referenced above if, following
receipt of an application for a building permit -within the 180 day period, the City is of the
opinion that the nonconforming use has been destroyed by 50 percent of its market value and
shall provide a copy thereof to the permit applicant. A permit applicant who disputes the
determination may appeal to the Board of Appeals and Adjustments. Such appeal must be
brought within thirty (30) days of receiving the appraisal. Any subsequent use or occupancy of
the land or premises shall be a conforming use or occupancy.
Subd. 3: Extension or Expansion ofNon-conforming Use. Anon-conforming use of a
residential, commercial or industrial building may not be extended or expanded by adding onto
the building. Anon-conforming use of a residential, commercial or industrial land shall not be
enlarged, expanded, increased or extended to occupy a greater area than was occupied when the
use became non-conforming, except as specifically provided in Subd. 6 of this section.
Subd. 4: Structural Chance. No existing structure devoted to anon-conforming use shall
be enlarged, extended, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered except in changing the use of
the structure to a conforming use.
Subd. 5: Maintenance. Maintenance of a building or other structure containing or used
for anon-conforming use will be permitted when it includes necessary non-structural repairs and
incidental alterations which do not extend or intensify the non-conforming building or use.
Subd. 6: Residential Alterations. Alterations may be made to a residential building
containing non-conforming residential units when they will improve the livability and safety of
such units provided, however, that they do not increase the number of dwelling units in the
building. Additions may be made to non-conforming residential buildings, limited to an increase
52.08-1
ORDINANCE 52 -ZONING ORDINANCE
in the living area of no more than 20% of the existing main floor square footage. The
construction and alteration of garages and accessory buildings is also permitted, as long as the
improvements conform to the zoning requirements for both the zoned use of the property, and
the non-conforming use.
Subd. 7: Change ofNon-conforming Use. Anon-conforming use cannot be changed to a
comparable non-conforming use. Whenever anon-conforming use has been changed to a
conforming use, or to a use permitted in a district of greater restrictions, it shall not thereafter be
changed to anon-conforming use of a less restricted district.
Subd. 8: Restoration After Destruction. Any non-conforming building or structure
damaged by fire, collapse, explosion or acts of God, or public enemy by more than fifty (50)
percent of its market value (exclusive of foundations) as appraised by an independent appraiser
at the time of damage, shall not be restored or reconstructed and used as before such a happening
unless a building permit has been applied for within 180 days after the property is damaged,; but,
if damaged less than fifty (50) percent of its market value above the foundation, it may be
restored, reconstructed or used as before provided that it is done within twelve (12) months of
the happening and that it be built of like or similar materials, or the architectural design and
building materials are approved by the Planning Commission.
Subd. 9: Discontinuance of Non-Conformin Use. If anon-conforming use of a
building or land is discontinued or ceased for a period of one year or more, or if the use is
involuntarily discontinued and ceased because of the revocation of a permit or the right to
engage in the use, subsequent use of such building or land shall conform thereafter to the use
permitted in the district in which it is located.
Subd. 10: Junkyard. No junkyard may continue as anon-conforming use for more than
thirty (30) years after the effective date of this Ordinance, except that a junkyard may continue as
a non-conforming use in an industrial district if within that period it is completely enclosed
within a building or within a continuous solid fence of not less than eight (8) feet in height or
other approved screening which screens completely the operations of the junkyard. Approval of
the fence or screen design shall be obtained from the Planning Commission.
Subd. 11: Ste. Signs pertaining to or advertising products sold on the premises of a
non-conforming building or use may be continued only when the non-conforming use is
permitted to continue and such signs shall not be expanded in number, area, height, or
illumination. New signs not to exceed the maximum allowed under Ordinance 52.11 may be
erected only after all other signs existing at the time of the adoption of this Ordinance have been
removed. New signs in conformity with the above may have illumination not to exceed 240
watts on one face of the sign, but flashing intermittent or moving illumination is not permitted.
Subd. 12: Buildings Under Construction and Building Permits Granted Prior to Adoption
of Ordinance. Any proposed structure which will, under this Ordinance, become
non-conforming but for which a building permit has been lawfully granted prior to the effective
date of this Ordinance, may be completed in accordance with the approved plans; provided
construction is started within sixty (60) days of the effective date of this Ordinance, is not
52.08-2
ORDINANCE 52 -ZONING ORDINANCE
abandoned for a period of more than 120 days, and continues to completion within two (2) yeazs.
Such structure and use shall thereafter be a legally non-conforming structure and use.
Subd. 13: Non-conforming Lots of Record. Where a lot of record exists within the City
which is vacant or built upon, but does not meet the lot requirements of the zone at the effective
date of this Ordinance, and the proposed or existing use is a permitted or permitted accessory use
for that zone, a building permit may be issued to build a new structure or reconstruct a destroyed
structure as outlined in Section 52.8.08; provided that yard setback requirements aze met.
Subd.14: Non-Conforming Lots. Asingle-family dwelling and customary accessory
building, notwithstanding limitations imposed by other provisions of this Ordinance, may be
erected in any district in which single-family dwellings are permitted on any single lot of record
at the effective date of adoption of or amendment to this Ordinance. Such lot must be in sepazate
ownership and not of continuous frontage with other lots in the same ownership. The provisions
shall apply even though such lot fails to meet the zoning requirements for area or width, or both,
that aze generally applicable in the district, provided that yard dimensions and other requirements
not involving azea or width, or both, of the lot shall conform to the regulations for the district in
which such lot is located. If, in a group of two (2) or more lots under the same ownership, any
individual lot does not meet the azea and width requirements of this Ordinance, the lot must not
be considered as a separate pazcel or land for the purpose of sale or development. The lot must
be combined with the one (1) or more contiguous lots so they equal one (l) or more pazcels of
land, each meeting the azea and width requirements of this Ordinance. Variances of azea, width
and yard requirements shall be obtained only in accordance with Section 52.7, Subdivision 2 of
this Ordinance.
52.08-3
Judy Weyrens
From: ROGER BEUNING [rogandbarb120@msn.com]
Sent: Friday, May 30, 2008 3:53 PM
To: Judy Weyrens
Subject: Rental Saturation
Judy Weyrens
City Administrator:
Judy;
Could I get a copy of this to each Planning Commission Member. Thank You.
We as R-1 Core Neighborhood Residents are getting "Tried & Angered" about
Rental Saturation! What did this Rental Moratorium do, or what Ordinance changes
did our City make to curtail this Non-conforming use in R-1 Neighborhoods?
Promises were made to do this, "protect Core R-1 Neighborhoods from Rental
Saturation and protecting the Integrity, Make-up of these Core R-1 Neighborhoods
by maintaining the R-1 Atmosphere, etc, etc! Non Conforming Uses will be held to a
minimum". With this new Application for 201 East Minnesota St.. This will make "three"
Properties in a row Rental out of "five" Properties on that side of the street. I believe
that's 60 percent. What's the magic number as promised? This doesn't even take into
consideration the other Grandfathered Rental Properties located in this R-1 Neighborhood.
Were does it stop? These aren't some Blighted Properties that couldn't sell. This is still a
very viable R-1 Neighborhood! We've had several Properties that sold within the last year
and young Families bought them as Starter Homes! That's what R-1 Neighborhoods are
for aren't they, to grow the Community. Not be vacant as many of these present Rentals
are from May till August. How does that help the Downtown Business, it doesn't!
If the City can't live up to its "promises" on Rental Saturation, then at least "enforce"
the Ordinances that pertain to Rental's and even other Properties.
Cut the Grass
Shovel the Snow
Parking on the Lawn
Noise/ Behavioral issues
More then allotted Renter's
General Neatness
We as Residents always here they have "rights". A question, don't we have rights also as Tax
Paying Residents? Thank You!
Roger Beuning
Core Neighborhood Residents Group
Leave Subdivision 2 as it was.
Subd.2: Continuation ofNon-Conforming Use. The lawful use of a building or structure
existing at the time of the adoption of this Ordinance may be continued although such use
does not conform with the district provisions herein, unless the use ceases for a period of
one year.
Change only Subdivision 8 which addresses Restoration after Destruction which is what
was changed by the state law.
Subd. 8: Restoration after Destruction. Any non-conforming building or structure
damaged by fire, collapse, explosion, acts of God, or public enemy by more than fifty
(50) percent of its market value (exclusive of foundations)
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used as before such a such a happening unless a building permit has been applied for
within. 8,0 days after the property is damaged. If damaged less than fifty (50) percent of
its market value above the foundation, it may be restored, reconstructed or used as
before. Regardless of the extent of damage, the property must be restored or
reconstructed within twelve (12) months of the event. The restoration or reconstruction
must be built of like or similar materials as prior to the event unless the architectural
design and building materials are approved by the Planning Commission. If the city
believes the property is damaged greater than fifty percent and the building permit was
applied fog after~'80. days of the event the city will get an indepgndent appraisal to
determine tie market value before and after the damage. If the permit applicant disputes
the appraisal an appeal may be made to the Board of Appeals and Adjustments (St.
Joseph Planning Commission). The appeal must be filed within thirty (30) days of
receiving the appraisal from the City.