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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 02-14 CCM Work Session MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL /ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WORK SESSION FEBRUARY 14, 2011 CITY HALL — COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council /Economic Development Authority (EDA) met in Work Session called to order by Mayor /President Tim Willson at 10:22 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor /President Tim Willson and Councilmembers /Commissioners Carol Kleven, Kay Lasman, Tim Roche, and Dan Ryan. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Public Works Director /City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Assistant City Manager /Director of Building & Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, and Carla Wirth, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. JUNK AND INOPERABLE VEHICLES UPDATE — BACK YARD PARKING Assistant City Manager /Director of Building & Community Standards Vickie Schleuning provided background information and code amendments made to effect junk/inoperable vehicle parking and storage. She described the need for coordination of standards to prevent unintended consequences and asked if there should be a mechanism for public feedback and to analyze and appropriately address situations. Ms. Schleuning summarized existing vehicle - related violations, options to determine front yard area, and vehicle location/surface requirement. The City Council /EDA discussed whether to require upgrade of driveways as part of street reconstruction projects and indicated support for a phased approach. Ms. Schleuning stated that non- improved driveways could be grandfathered with a future date determined when compliance would be required. Another option is to adopt driveway maintenance standards and require Code compliance if the driveway is changed or not properly maintained. Mr. Boganey commented on the need to assure equal protection so residents in similar circumstances are treated the same. Ms. Schleuning displayed pictures depicting examples of parking locations. The City Council /EDA discussed whether a boat, since it has a motor, would be defined as a "motorized vehicle" along with things like motorcycles and lawn mowers. Councilmember /Commissioner Kleven circulated pictures of parking violations. 02/14/11 -1- The City Council /EDA discussed that the ordinance should regulate all outdoor storage, motorized or not, on at least a Class V gravel surface. The language should also regulate back yard storage because it can be viewed by neighbors and to define commercial vehicles. Ms. Schleuning advised that commercial vehicles are defined by weight. Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman noted that ordinances are enacted in response to problems and she is glad this matter is being revisited because the problem remains and has become more complex. She stated this amendment will resolve parking issues as well as other issues that will improve the neighborhood. Councilmember /Commissioner Ryan agreed there are usually a range of issues in locations of parking violations. He suggested establishing standards for parking surface and percentage of greenspace, which would result in limiting the size of the parking area. Councilmember /Commissioner Ryan noted some residents may object to the City imposing additional standards that involve extraordinary costs for some. He stated he likes a stepped approach, perhaps requiring that Class V driveways be maintained to an established standard, and determining a maximum number of vehicles allowed to be parked. Councilmember /Commissioner Roche stated his property had a Class V driveway for many years and he understands that this type of regulation will raise concerns by residents who have large driveways and own a number of vehicles. Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman supported language to grandfather those situations with a distant date established for compliance and a phased approach. The City Council /EDA discussed the scenario of a boat /trailer being parked on a residential yard and signed "For Sale." It was suggested that in this situation the enforcement officer could provide an informational flyer advising they had 30 days to display the boat /trailer for sale conditioned on maintaining the turf. Staff was encouraged to anticipate occasional circumstances where a variance from the standard could be considered. Ms. Schleuning advised there is discretionary enforcement, such as washing vehicles on the yard, and with regard to having a boat or vehicle for sale, the City Council /EDA has to consider if they would like everyone to do the same. Mr. Boganey cautioned that every discretionary variance from the standard creates an opportunity for abuse. Ms. Schleuning presented staff's recommendation to create a yard definition, green space requirements, and define parking surface. Staff does not recommend limiting the number of vehicles at this time, but it could be reconsidered if the desired results are not achieved from the amendments. The City Council /EDA acknowledged the importance of continued and consistent enforcement and asked staff to provide more definition and conduct an inventory analysis on the breadth and specificity of the problem for consideration at a future Work Session. 02/14/11 -2- PROGRESS REPORTS ON ACHIEVEMENT OF STRATEGIC GOALS Due to the late hour, this item was not addressed. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember /Commissioner Lasman moved and Councilmember /Commissioner Ryan seconded adjournment of the City Council /Economic Development Authority Work Session at 11:08 P.M. Motion passed unanimously. 02/14/11 -3- STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER) The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Clerk of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, certifies: 1. That attached hereto is a full, true, and complete transcript of the minutes of a Work Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on February 14, 2011. 2. That said meeting was held pursuant to due call and notice thereof and was duly held at Brooklyn Center City Hall. 3. That the City Council adopted said minutes at its February 28, 2011, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 02/14/11 -4-