HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974 Edition 09 April C I y BROo T O N CENTER / REPORT* MANAGER'S
APR L, 1974 NO.9
Housing Commission Considering
New Housin g Code
A proposed housing maintenance and The proposed ordinance covers the ing, space and location requirements,
occupancy ordinance is now being con- responsibilities of ownersand occupants, licensing of rental units, enforcement
sidered by the Brooklyn Center Housing minimum standards for equipment and and inspection.
Commission. facilities, lighting and ventilation, heat- The purpose of the ordinance is to
protect the character and stability of
residential areas in the City, and to pre-
serve the values of property throughout
the city.
The code is designed to aid in pre-
venting slums, blight, overcrowding and
other housing problems which have oc
curred in older communities.
In an attempt to gather opinion from
t
111 all areas of the City, the proposed ordi
nance is being referred to a variety of
neighborhood groups, civic organiza-
tions, and interest groups for comments.
I ■ •' Also public hearings on the proposal
", r r • j will be held by the City Council.
' • -•- Under the proposal, every building
,.%
and its premises which is used as a resi-
dence, regardless of when it was built is
covered by the ordinance.
The owner or occupant of a dwelling
�.. is responsible for keeping the dwelling
"` �,,,- " ",.+� • fit for human occupancy. This includes
the storage and removal of rubbish and
THE EARLE BROWN FARM has been designated as a historical site in the City, by waste, pest extermination, sanitary
a resolution from the City Council, maintenance of fixtures and facilities,
the maintenance of minimum heating
capabilities, exterior lighting, driving and
parking areas and yards.
Street Address System Formalized Each dwelling unit must have a
kitchen with a sink, cabinets for storage,
individual owner or occupant of a struc- a stove or similar device for cooking
New laws have been approved by the ture to maintain the address numbers food and a refrigerator for safe food
Brooklyn Center City Council estab- assigned by the Director of Planning and storage.
lishing requirements for the addressing Inspections. The unit must have toilet facilities
of buildings in the City. Address numbers of one and two with a lavatory sink within the same
The purpose of the ordinance is to family dwellings should be at least three room. It must have a bathtub or shower
provide the proper protection of public inches high, be of durable material and in good working condition. Any stairway
and private property, especially in case of contrasting color to the area where of more than four risers must have a
of emergency when the police or fire they are attached. Preferably the num- railing not less than 30 inches above the
departments need to respond to ad- erals should be of reflectorized material. steps.
dresses. Address numbers for all other build -
Authorities will establish a uniform ings should comply with the regulations Continued on Page 2
and sequential system of assigned street for one and two family dwellings except
numbers for all public, residential, com- the numbers might have to be larger if
mercial and industrial buildings. Property required by the Director of Planning and *Citizen inquiries and requests may
owners will be notified of the addresses Inspections.
upon request, upon issuance of building The numbers should be attached be directed at the City Administra
permits or when it has been determined where they will be directly and conveni- tion If there is a question regarding
that an existing structure has an im- ently visible for emergencies. Numbers a service that we are authorized to
proper address. perform please call us at 561 -5440.
It will be the responsibility of the Continued on Page 3
Housing Code Continued from Page I
A multiple dwelling unit must have with the prevailing neighborhood stan-
dead -latch type door locks and the mul- dards.
tiple dwelling buildings must have an Each dwelling unit must have at
approved security system to control least 150 square feet of habitable space
access, for the first occupant and at least 100 '
The heating system of a dwelling square feet for each additional occupant.
must be able to maintain a minimum In no event can the total number of
temperature of 68 degrees at a distance occupants exceed 2 times the number of
of three feet above floor level and three habitable rooms, less the kitchen, in the
feet from an exterior wall when the out- dwelling unit i
side temperature is 25 degrees below Minimum ceiling height is 6 feet,
zero. 6 inches and each bedroom must be at
Building foundations, roofs and least 70 square feet.
exterior walls should be substantially Licensing is required for the opera -
watertight and protected from rodents tion of rental units. Owners of rental }
i
and vermin. They should be in good dwellings, or their agents, must live with -
repair. Windows, doors and screens in Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Carver, i
should be substantially tight, in good Dakota, Scott or Washington counties.
repair and capable of being easily Any dwelling unit found unfit for
opened. habitation under the conditions of the
The dwelling must be safe and its ordinance must be made safe or it will
facilities in safe working conditions. The be considered a hazardous building as
premises must be so graded and drained designated by Minnesota statutes.
as to be free from standing water 6 Citizens are urged to become ac-
hours after a rainfall. The yard should quainted with the basic provisions of the
have an adequate lawn or cover of vege- proposed ordinance. For further infor-
tation, garden, hedges and shrubbery mation on the proposed ordinance call
which should be maintained consistent the City Hall at 561 -5440.
yy P• :x
` THIS 1.5 MILLION GALLON
water tower is scheduled for com-
pletion in June. The new tower will
aid residents by providing better
water pressure during peak usage
months, and will also provide addi-
tional water for fire fighting.
b
Appointments Made
To City Commissions
Appointments to several City Com-
missions have been made by the Brook -
lyn Center City Council.
The persons designated to each com-
mission have been appointed by the
Mayor with confirmation by the City
- ik Council.
Appointed to the Human Rights Com-
mission were John Martinsen, Al Wey-
_ _ rauch, Mrs. Velma Sugimura, and Mrs.
' Joyce Tolve. Four persons were ap
pointed to the Planning Commission.
They were: Carl Gross, Gilbert Engdahl,
Patrick Horan and Harold Pierce.
Ms. Michele Roche and Donald
Bogle were appointed to the Park and
Recreation Commission and Greg Almen
and Mrs. Barbara Jensen to the Conser-
TO AID IN STREET maintenance, this new type of sweeper has been purchased by vation Commission.
the City. A vacuum type of cleaner, the sweeper will be used to clean leaves and Appointed as chairman of the Human
catch basins along with the normal sweeping functions. Rights Commission was Donald Davis.
Motor Vehicle Abandoned Vehicles Subject
Laws Changed of Ordinance
Several changes have been made in Brooklyn Center City ordinances Such vehicles will be removed, im-
the City ordinance regulating the use of have been changed regarding abandoned pounded and disposed of according to
motor vehicles within Brooklyn Center. the ordinance.
Among those changes are new laws on or unclaimed cars the City.
parking, driving in non- roadway areas Under the new law, any vehicles Those vehicles impounded will be
and the throwing n objects at vehicles. abandoned on any public right of way held by the City and within 10 days
It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle or private property within the City is after taking the vehicle, the City will
along s public sidewalk or a non -road- considered a public nuisance. attempt to contact the registered owners.
way area b any public street rightad- Abandonment is described as a vehicle Failure to claim the vehicle within 15
way. Also, it is illegal to drop or throw left standing on a public right of way or days after receipt of the notice means
any missile at, on or against any motor on private property (without the con- the owner relinquishes title to the
vehicle while it is in motion, sent of the owner) for more than 48 vehicle.
Parking regulations continue to re- hours or any vehicle on a public right of Those vehicles not reclaimed will be
quire that no vehicle can be left standing way lacking vital parts essential to the disposed of by the City with the net
on the street for more than four hours mechanical functions. proceeds going to the City treasury.
between midnight and 8 a.m., and not
more than six hours any other time of
the day.
Parking in areas where it is contrary
to posted regulations or in designated • " * .
fire lanes is prohibited. Parking on a "
public sidewalk or non - roadway area of
a public street is prohibited. ,'
q k
Rummage
Sales ...... . . . _ - ==�- =-
Controlled
E
According to a new Brooklyn Center 4
City ordinance, a person can have a
maximum of four rummage sales each
year, and each rummage sale may last " • ' •. _
only three days. N •'
The limitations will affect only the '
very few persons who conduct a near r.
continuous business in residential areas.
Signs advertising a rummage sale may ° - ��• f ,
be placed only on the premises of the
sale. Prohibited is the practice of tacking THIS WILL BE THE FIRST full year of operation for tennis courts at Grandview,
sale signs on power poles, and erecting West Palmer and Ky /awn parks in the City, and will supplement courts at Willow
sales signs along traffic thoroughfares. Lane and Northport parks.
Provisions of this City ordinance will
be enforced during the coming spring
and summer months.
Questions about the sale provisions Flood Insurance Program
may be directed to the Planning and
Inspection Director at 561 -5440.
Considered For City
Add ress System... The Brooklyn Center City Council to qualify for the national program.
has voted to participate in a national These ordinances and zonings control
i Continued from Page 1 flood insurance program to aid its land development in the possible flood
for the one and two family dwellings residents. areas to minimize flood damage to prop -
should be at the front entrance. The program involves all those people erty. Private insurance companies pro -
Multiple and townhouse dwellings who would suffer damage to their prop- vide the subsidized insurance to individ-
should have the numbers displayed at erty from floods. The City is especially uals.
the main entrance nearest the adjoining concerned with those residences along Various types of losses are covered if
driveway or public or private street. the Mississippi River and Shingle Creek, they are the result of a flood condition.
Complexes assigned a common address Involvement in the program means The insurance does not cover sewer
will display that number as assigned by that the City subscribes to certain stan- back -ups unless these are caused by a
the Director. dards and ordinances and zoning laws flooding condition in the area.
WARNING For Your Information...
COUNCIL SUPPORTS SIX TENNIS COURTS
EARLE BROWN FARM ADDED TO PROGRAM
HISTORICAL SITE 1974 will be the first year of opera -
The Brooklyn Center City Council tion for tennis courts at Grandview,
has passed a resolution supporting the West Palmer and Kylawn parks in Brook -
designation of the Earle Brown Farm as lyn Center. Each site has two courts
a historical site. which were completed last year, and
Legislation developed by the Brook- will supplement existing courts at Willow
lyn Historical Society has been enacted Lane and Northport parks.
whereby the State recognizes the area as
OPERATION Will t historical site. Development will
■ inue as it has in the past. The designated
SIDEWALK
All items of value on these premises have been marked area consists of the site now occupied by OBSTRUCTIONS
for ready identification by Law Enforcement Agencies.
the farm buildings. UNLAWFUL
According to a new Brooklyn Center
FREE GUEST PASS WITH ordinance, it is unlawful to physically
Crime Watch MEMBERSHIP PURCHASE obstruct a public sidewalk or walkway.
Program To Residents unruly includes or overhanging tree
purchasing memberships
for the Community Center will also re- branches.
Prevent Burglaries ceive a free guest pass.
g A three -month membership costs
The Brooklyn Center Police Depart- $16.50 for a family, and $9 for an in- ANIMAL VACCINATION
ment, along with other law enforcement dividual. A six -month membership costs CLINIC IS JUNE 8
$30 for a family, and $15 for an individ-
agencies, participates p in the Minnesota A one -year family membership costs A rabies vaccination clinic will be
ual.
Crime Watch program. ual. and $25 for an individual held from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on
The program has been designed to , Saturday, June 8 at the Brooklyn Center
combine the efforts of local police
City garage, 2501 69th Avenue North.
forces in preventing crime in the com- The clinic, to be conducted by a
munity. The first phase of the program Each residence receives a special qualified veterinarian, is open to all
is a concentrated effort to eliminate number which will identify the owner of Brooklyn Center residents who wish to
home burglaries through several an item. The item is inscribed onto valu- bring pets for vaccination. Cost of the
methods. ables by the use of an engraving tool vaccination is $3.
An important part of the home bur- available through the department and Dog licenses will also be on sale, but
glary program is Operation Identifica- then recorded on confidential lists filed residents are reminded that if they are
tion. This involves the marking and re- with the police. coming just to purchase a license, proof
cording of all valuables in the home, in- For additional information on the of rabies vaccination is required.
cluding televisions, radios, outboard program contact the Police Department Although a license is not required,
motors, tape decks and many other at 561 -5440, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., cat owners can also bring their pet for
items. Monday through Friday. the rabies vaccination.
CITY OF BROok[YN CENTER BULK RATE
6301 SHINGLE CREEK PARKWAY U.S. POSTAGE
BROOKLYN CENTER, MINNESOTA 55430 PAID
CITY COUNCIL Minneapolis,
Philip Cohen ..................... Mayor Minnesota
John Leary ...................Councilman Permit No. 2170
Maurice Britts .................Councilman
William Fignar .................Councilman
Tony Kuefler ..................Councilman
Donald G. Poss .... *
..........City Manager
BROOKLYN CENTER SERVICE DIRECTORY
Emergency Numbers (24 hours a Day)
POLICE - FIRE .................... 561 -5720
City Hall Offices ................... 561 -5440
(Monday through Friday — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Community Center ................. 561 -5440
(After 5 p.m. and weekends) .......... 561 -5448