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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975 01-07 HCMCall to Order Roll Call Approval of Minutes 12-10-74 Review of Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code Minutes of the Proceedings of the Housing Commission of the City of Brooklyn Center in the County of Hennepin and the State of Minnesota REGULAR SESSION JANUARY 7, 1975 CITY HALL The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Howard at 730 p.m. Chairman Howard, Commissioners Ward, Hastings, Weitzel, Beikler and Haroldson. Also present were City Manager Donald Poss, Councilman Bill Fignar and Administrative Assistants Ron Warren and James Lacina. Motion by Commissioner Weitzel and seconded by Commissioner Haroldson to approve the minutes of the December 10, 1974 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Howard introduced the first item of business on the agenda, that of a review by the City Manager of the Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code. The City Manager proceeded with a lengthy pres- entation regarding the proposed changes in the Housing code. He noted that the Code would be presented to the City Council for a first reading as soon as possible. He commented on the feedback from various citizens groups and recommendations that were made about the proposed Code. He stated that the Jaycees and the Citizens Committee were probably the most responsive groups. He reviewed each of the specific changes in the Code. The first change he commented on was that of the definition of a family. He noted th it would be changed to be consistent with the Zoning Ordinance. Commissimer Haroldson inquired as to the defi- nition of a family regarding the number of unrelated occupants. The City Manager responded by stating that if more than five persons resided in a home as unrelated individuals they would not be classified as falling under the definition of a family. He noted that under these conditions they would more than likely be subject to the requirements of a boarding house as qualified under the Zoning Ordinance. Commissioner Haroldson inquired further about hobby and recreation areas serving as habitable space. The City Manager responded by stating this definition only excluded special purpose rooms such as exercise rooms and saunas. He noted that general purpose family rooms or recreation amusement rooms would be credited as habitable space toward their occupancy credit. There was a brief discussion on the use of the terminology "reasonably good condition" regard- ing yard upkeep. The City Manager noted that this language was rather arbitrary and hard to define. He stated that the phrase "consistent with prevailing neighborhood standards" would be much better and more liable to hold up in a court situation. The City Manager then noted Section 12-802 regarding permissible occupancy of a dwelling unit. He briefly explained the procedure for determing the maximum permissible occupancy and noted that this definition was rather liberal. Chairman Howard commented briefly on Section 12-706 regarding fence maintenance. He stated that he felt there should be a qualifier regarding wood materials that are decay resistant. Mr. Poss noted that this was a good point and stated that it would be included in the draft to be presented to the City Council. The City Manager then commented briefly as to the minimum height for ceilings. He noted that one of the suggestions was that the 6'6" ceiling was too restrictive. He stated that ceilings in existing housing under that mi7Aimum would not be illegal but merely would not be counted towards the occupancy credit space. He further commented that Mr. Tremere was researching this matter against other housing codes. The City Manager then reviewed the possible recommended license fees under Section 12-902. He noted that the recommended fee for a single 1/7/75 -2- Kaleidoscope Reappointment of Commissioners family dwelling unit would be $10 per biennial license, two family biennial license fee would be $10 for the first unit and $5 for the second unit and the multi family biennial license fee would be $25 per building and $4 per dwelling unit. He again noted that these fees were tentative and were only in the recommendation stage. He did state, however, that there would be a definite effort to inspect these buildings before renewal of license fee and upon complaints being issued and that these inspections could justify the cost of the license. The City Manager then noted that the recommenda- tion critiques that he received regarding the Occupancy Code were helpful in offering sugges- tions for changes. He noted that it would be his recommendation for the Housing Commission to forward the Housing Maintenance Code to the City Council for adoption. He thanked the Commission for their input regarding the Housing Code and their diligent work in reviewing it. There was a brief discussion as to the procedure regarding recommending the Code to the City Council. Chairman Howard noted that he wanted the Commission to review it again in light of the changes that were noted. He stated that it would be his recommendation for the Housing Commission to meet February 4, 1975 to take formal action on the Housing Code. Mr. Poss then noted that if that were the situation, the City Council could have it on their agenda for the February 10, 1975 meeting. Chairman Howard thanked the City Manager for his informative review of the Housing Code. Chairman Howard briefly reviewed the upcoming events for Kaleidoscope. He noted that Commis- sioners Weitzel and Haroldson would be working on the E using Commission's presentation and that Commissioners Beikler, Magnuson and Kohrt would be nutting together information on financin housing and housing rehabilitation costs. Councilman Fignar noted that Commissioners Magnuson and Beikler were reappointed at the January 6, 1975 Council meeting for three year terms. -3- 1/7/75 Motion by Commissioner Hastings and seconded by Commissioner Weitzel to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 9:20 p.m. 1/7/75 -4- Chairman Adjournment