Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 30, 2001 Work SessionCITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, MN 55421-3878 (763) 706-3600 TDD (763) 706-3692 Visit Our Website at: www. ci. columbia-heights. mn.us ADMINIS TRA TION NOTICE OF COUNCIL WORK SESSION Notice is hereby given that a work session is to be held in the CITY OF COL UMBIA HEIGHTS as fo ws.' Mayor Gary L. Peterson Councilmembers Marlaine Szurek Julienne Wyckoff Bruce Nawrocki Robert A. Willjams City Manager Walt Fehst Meeting of: Date of Meeting: Time of Meeting: Location of Meeting: Purpose of Meeting: COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL APRIL 30, 2001 7:00 P.M. CONFERENCE ROOM 1 WORK SESSION A GENDA Review of the proposed Zoning and Development Ordinance The City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation wilt be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in all City of Columbia Heights' services, programs, and activities. Auxiliary aids for handicapped persons axe available upon request when the request is made at least 96 hours in advance. Please call the City Council Secretary at 706-361 I, to make arrangements. (TDD/706-3692 for deaf or hearing impaired only) THE CiTY Of COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN EMPLOYMENT OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, MN 55421-3878 (763) 706-3600 TDD (763) 706-3692 Visit Our Website at: www. ci. columbia-heights. mn. us ADMINISTRATION NOTICE OF COUNCIL WORK SESSION Notice is hereby given that a work session is to be heM in the CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS Mayor Gary L. Peterson Councilmembers Marlaine Szurek Julienne Wycko~f Bruce Nawrocki Robert A. Williams City Manager Walt Fehst Meeting of: Date of Meeting: Time of Meeting: Location of Meeting: Purpose of Meeting: COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL APRIL 30, 2001 7:00 P.M. CONFERENCE ROOM 1 WORK SESSION A GENDA Review of the proposed Zoning and Development Ordinance (Please bring the proposed ordinance distributed for the April 9m meeting) The City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in all City of Columbia Heights' services, programs, and activities. Auxiliary aids for handicapped persons are available upon request when the request is made at least 96 hours in advance. Please call the City Council Secretary at 706-3611, to make arrangements. (TDD/706-3692 for deaf or heating impaired only) THE CiTY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN EMPLOYMENT OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES E~QUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Highlights of Proposed Changes CURRENT STANDARDS: Accessory Structures Three (3) foot rear yard setback for residential accessory structures when doors do not face the alley or right-of-way. FiReen (15) foot height restriction for all residential accessory structures. · No Minimum residential garage size. Twenty (20) foot setback for residential garages when doors face the alley or street. Dwelling Units One story, split level, and split entry dwellings require a minimum floor area of 1,020 sq. R., plus 120 sq. ft. for each additional bedroom. Exterior Lighting Maximum of three (3) footcandles of light at any property line. Off-Street Parking Off-street parking areas and driveways shall be surfaced with material to control dust and drainage. PROPOSED STANDARDS: Five (5) foot rear yard setback for residential accessory structures when doors do not face the alley or fight-of-way. Eighteen (18) foot height restriction for all residential accessory structures. Minimum residential garage size is 20X20. Twenty (20) foot setback for residential garages facing alley or street for lots 6,500 square feet or more; Fifteen foot setback for residential garages facing alley for lots 6,500 square feet or less. One story, split level, and split entry dwellings require a minimum floor area of 1020 sq. ft., plus 120 sq. ft. for each additional bedroom. The floor area may be reduced to 960 sq. ft. if lot size if6,500 sq. ft. or less. Maximum of one-half ( 1/2) footcandles of light at closest residential property line. Max of three (3) foot candles of light at closest non-residential property line. All off-street parking areas and driveways shall be surfaced with a dustless all weather hard surface material consisting of asphlt, concrete, brick, cement pavers, or similar material. Highlights of Proposed Changes CURRENT STANDARDS: Signage · Portable signage allowed up to 8 X 4 in size Temporary signage allowed by permit for four (4) eleven (11) day periods annually, and 30 days seasonally. Freestanding signage allowed in Limited Business (LB) District not to exceed twenty (20) feet in height. Freestanding signage in Retail Business (RB) and General Business (GB) Districts allowed up to thirty (30) feet in height. Billboards allowed up to forty (40) feet in height, maximum 300 sq. and spaced at 500 foot intervals in T Districts with 45 MPH speeds. Maximum height of forty (40) feet for freestanding signage in all Industrial Districts. Signage · Minimum setbacks for freestanding signs are the same as setback requirements for structures in that district. Freestanding signage in Central Business District(CBD) allowed up to twenty (20) feet in height. PROPOSED STANDARDS: Portable signage neeallowed. Temporary signage allowed without a permit. Freestanding signage allowed in Limited Business (LB) Dislrict not to exceed eight (8) feet in height. If located adjacent to a State Trunk Highway, maximum height shall be twenty (20) feet. Freestanding signage in General Business (GB) District allowed up to twenty-five (25) feet in height if located adjacent to a State Tnmk Highway. Billboards allowed up to twenty-five (25) feet in height, max 100 sq. ft., and spaced at 1500 foot intervals in T Districts with 45 MPH speeds. Maximum height of twenty-five (25) feet for freestanding signage in all IndusWial Districts. Minimum setbacks for freestanding signs shall be ten (10) feet from property line or as otherwise stated in the ordinance. Freestanding signage in Central Business District (CBD) allowed up to eight (8) feet height. If located adjacent to a State Trunk Highway, maximum height shall be twenty (20) feet. Highlights of Proposed Changes CURRENT STANDARDS: Specific Depelopment Standarda Adult Entertainment Use Allowed in Industrial District by conditional use permit. No minimum separation standards from residential properties, or schools. Consignment/Secondhand Store Currency Exchange Drop In Facility Pawnshops Permitted in Business Districts and Industrial Districts. No minimum separation standards from other similar facilities. No minimum standards or separation d/stances from similar facilities. Salvage Facility/Transfer Station Permitted in IndusWial Districts. No minimum standards. Transitional/Emergency Housing · Not addressed in current ordinance. Landscaping and Screening · No minimum landscaping standards. PROPOSED STANDARDS: Allowed in Industrial District by conditional use permit. This use shall be a minimum of 500 feet from any residential property; daycare facility; educational facility; library; park; or place of worship. Allowed in General Business District by conditional use permit only. Not allowed in Central or Limited Business Districts. These uses shall be located a minimum of 3000 feet from any existing consignment store, currency exchange, drop-in facility or pawnshop. Permitted in Industrial Districts. Need to maintain a minimum distance of 500 feet from any residential property. Shall require an environmental management plan. Allowed with a conditional use permit in R-3, R4, and LB Districts. Shall be located at least '/. mile from all existing transitional housing. Minimum of one tree for every fifty (50) feet of street frontage. Minimum of four (4) trees for every one (1) acre of lot area. Highlights of Proposed Changes CURRENT STANDARDS: Building Design Standards No minimum building design standards. Lot Requirements Rear yard setback for R-1 and R-2 Districts is thirty (30) feet. Side yard setback for R-3 District is ten (10) feet; Rear yard setback for R-3 District is twenty (20) feet Twinhome Requirements They are not addressed in our current ordinance. PROPOSED STANDARDS: All smactures over 120 sq. ~. shall have full perimeter footings. Steel frame structures with metal siding and roof shall be allowed provided that 50% or more of the front of the building is ofmasom-y type veneer and windows, and the side walls are at least four (4) feet from grade with the same type of masonry veneer. Building facades shall contain windows at the ground level or first floor in order to provide visual interest and increase security of adjacent outdoor spaces by maximizing natural surveillance and visibility. At least 20% of the tirst floor facade that faces a public street, sidewalk or parking lot shall be windows or doors for residential use. At least 30% of the furst floor fagade that faces a public street, sidewalk or parking lot shall be windows or doors of clear or lightly tinted glass that allows views into and out of the building at eye level for non-residential uses. Rear yard setback for R-1 and R-2 Districts is 20% of the lot depth. Side yard setback for R-3 District is twenty (20) feet; Rear yard setback for R-3 District is thirty (30) feet. Lot area requirements for twinhomes are 9,000 sq. et. for both lots that share a common wall; 4,500 sq. i~. minimum lot size for each individual lot sharing a common wall. CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS Date: April 25, 2001 To: City Council Members From: Tim Johnson, City Planner 7"'-,T" Re: Zoning and Development Ordinance As you are aware, the City Council has set up a work session for April 30, 2001, to review the proposed Zoning and Development Ordinance. The City Council formerly received a copy of a highlights section pertaining to important or significant changes proposed in the new ordinance as was presented to the public at the open house on March 6, 2001. The purpose of this overview is to give you a better understanding of each section of the proposed ordinance, and to briefly mention some of the changes that are being made in this rewrite process. As a whole the existing Zoning Ordinance and the proposed Zoning and Development Ordinance are quite similar in nature as indicated in this overview. There are some unique aspects of the proposed ordinance that are entirely new or have been rewritten in order to maintain consistency and accuracy. However, it has been quite difficult to track each individual change or to try to explain how and why certain sections have changed. This is especially tree considering that staff and planning consultants who formerly worked on the project are no longer available to provide insight on certain sections. Herein is a section by section overview: Section 1: Purpose, Authority, and Jurisdiction There are no substantial changes to note in this section as compared with the existing ordinance. The intent and purpose section is substantially consistent with the existing Zoning Ordinance. Section 2: Rules of Construction There are no substantial changes to note in this section as compared with the existing ordinance. Additional language has been added to clarify the rules of construction. Section 3: Definitions This section is substantially similar to the existing ordinance with the addition of several new terms, and expanded language designed to provide clarification and to eliminate any confusion for the reader. Section 4: Administration And Enforcement This section outlines the required procedures for the administration of this ordinance as well as the duties of officials and boards. This section is essentially the same as the existing ordinance with quite a bit more detail and explanation of the required process. A Development Review Committee designation has been added to this ordinance 9.402(3), which identifies applicable staff who have the responsibility of reviewing plans and plats for conformance with the ordinance. Section 9.409 has been added which would allow the Planning Commission to hold a public hearing for the vacation of any public street, alley, or other public right-of-way. The City Council then makes the final decision on this matter. This process is typical for many cities. Section 5: Non-Conformities This section is essentially the same as the existing ordinance and mirrors other cities non- conformity sections. However, City staff and the Planning Commission recommended an exception to the section Damaged or Destroyed 9.502(9), and 9.503(5) that would allow for some property owners along 40th Avenue who own non-conforming homes in the Limited Business District to rebuild their home if destroyed by fire or natural causes, not to exceed the building footprint. This provision would allow for these owners to be able to retinanee on their homes, or allow for any future buyer of these homes to obtain affordable financing. This provision was suggested because the residential properties along this stretch are the majority, even though the district has a number of commercial buildings as well. Section 6: General Development Standards This section was created to provide some consistency, as the existing ordinance standards are brief, in no particular order and provide very little detail or description. This section needed to be revamped, as certain standards were lacking proper sequence. The new section incorporates: · Expanded lot controls 9. 602. Consistent with lot provisions from existing ordinance; · Accessory structure requirements 9. 603, with highlighted changes as indicated on the highlights pages; · Home occupation requirements 9. 603(3) which are essentially the same as the existing mquiraments; · Requirements for outdoor swimmingpools and courts 9. 603(5). Consistent with industry standards; · Dwelling structure requirements 9. 604. With highlighted changes as indicated on the highlights pages; · Fencing requirements 9. 605. Which are currently a supplement to the Zoning Ordinance and have inconsistencies, the proposed requirements mirror the existing requirements; · Temporary uses and structure requirements 9. 607. These are typical provisions used in many cities; · Expanded performance standards section 9. 608. Designed to protect and enhance land use; Essentially the same as the former requirements; · The storm water management section 9. 609 has been added to the new ordinance by City Engineer Kevin Hansen (see overview); · Land alteration requirements 9. 610. Consistent with other cities ordinances; · Exterior lighting standards 9. 611. Highlighted changes are indicated in the highlights pages, a lighting specialist was consulted in conjunction with making the recommended changes in footcandle measurements; · Off-Street Parking and Loading 9. 612. The proposed requirements are substantially similar to the existing ordinance, although we have proposed to add a minimum driveway aisle width of 24 feet to the proposed ordinance, which is an industry standard. The proposed requirements are easier to read as they have been put in a table format. Some other changes to make note of include a requirement of 2 covered parking spaces for single-family, two-family, and multi-family units, as the existing ordinance requires a minimum of one covered parking stall for each use. The Planning Commission looked at the off-street parking table as provided by our planning consultant, and believed it to be reasonable and consistent with industry standards. (See also highlights section for off-street parking surfaces); · Landscaping & Screening 9.613. This section has been added. The landscaping standards proposed are necessary as the existing ordinance doesn't really address minimum landscaping standards aside from screening. The landscaping and screening standards proposed are based on industry standards. A proposed requirement to make note of is that a landscape plan is required for all new commercial, industrial, institutional, or multi-family development. There are also minimum plant materials and minimum size standards for planrings in the proposed ordinance. See highlights section for highlighted landscaping standards proposed; · Building Design Standards 9.614. This section is brand new as the existing ordinance did not spell out any criteria for building materials or design in residential, commercial, or industrial areas. The proposed ordinance would not allow for pole structures, and would help tremendously to dress up our commercial and industrial districts for any new construction. This section will probably be most beneficial to the city as we look to aesthetically enhance front facades. Refer also to highlights section for highlighted standards added to the proposed ordinance; · Telecommunications 9.615. Refer to separate Tower Siting Ordinance # 1424; · Sign Regulations 9. 616. Although this section has been rewritten, the content is substantially similar to the existing ordinance, with a few revisions and updated standards as addressed in the highlights section. It should be noted that we have proposed to eliminate the permit process for temporary signage because of the tremendous amount of staff time it takes to process these permits for short time periods, and the difficulty in enforcing the timelines imposed; Section 7: Specific Development Standards This section is completely new and has been written in order to establish specific supplemental development standards that will be applicable to certain land uses. The uses listed in this section are accompanied by industry standards that seem applicable in order to determine the feasibility of the project, and to also provide for a quality project. A number of these uses are identified in the highlights section provided. The criteria for certain uses proposed is identified in this section and is required to be met. Section 8: General District Provisions This section is consistent with the existing ordinance in which it identifies the division of the City into certain Zoning Districts. Section 9: Residential Districts Table 9.903 has been added to easily identify lot dimensions, height, and bulk requirements for the residential districts. The only substantive changes being considered have been identified in the highlights section. R-1 This section has been written in order to preserve and enhance our single-family districts. The list of permitted and conditional uses are essentially the same as the existing ordinance, with the deletion of some conditional uses. Residential care facilities and daycare facilities are allowed per statute. R-2 This section is nearly identical to the existing ordinance with reference to permitted and conditional uses. However, churches and schools would be considered a conditional use rather than a permitted use. R-3 This section is essentially the same with motels, hospitals, clubs and lodges, and manufactured homes no longer allowed in this district. R-4 This section is essentially the same with funeral homes, offices, clinics, retail sales, motels, and hospitals no longer allowed in this district. Section 10: Commercial Districts There are three (3) commemial districts as identified by the proposed ordinance. The item of substance to be noted is the change in title of the Retail Business (RB) District, to now be called General Business (GB) District. This change was brought about when the former consultant and former staff believed the general business district title more appropriately described our commercial areas. The Retail Business District title would be eliminated from the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map. Table 9.1003 has also been added to easily identify lot dimensions, height, and bulk requirements for the commercial districts. The regulations herein are similar to the former ordinance, with some minor changes. Limited Business District (LB) This district allows for the same type of limited retail sales and services for neighborhood convenience. However, some changes to make note of include: Religious facilities allowed as a conditional use; the existing ordinance did not permit them in this district. Hotels and motels are allowed as a conditional use; the existing ordinance permitted them; Laboratories are not allowed in this district; the existing ordinance allowed with a conditional use; Schools are allowed as a conditional use; the existing ordinance permitted them; Central Business District (CBD) This district is very similar to the existing CBD requirements but its uses are more condensed and easier to follow. A few changes to make note ofinchde: Dwelling units allowed as a permitted use, but subject to certain conditions identified in specific development standards; existing ordinance allowed dwelling units with a conditional use; Restaurants (food service, coffee shop, fast food) are allowed as a permitted use subject to specific development standards; existing ordinance allowed with a conditional use; General Business (GB) District This district is similar in nature to the existing Retail Business (RB) District, but has been rew~tten and takes the place of the RB District. The same type and nature of uses are allowed. However, there are some changes to make note of: Dwelling units not allowed; existing ordinance allowed with a conditional use permit; Restaurants, cafes, would be allowed as permitted uses, but subject to certain development standards. Existing ordinance allowed as a conditional use. Auto sales would be allowed as a permitted use, but also subject to certain development standards. Existing ordinance allowed as a conditional use; Refer also to consignment stores, pawnshops, currency exchanges, and drop-in facilities, which are allowed as a conditional use, but need to meet distance criteria as well; Section 11: Industrial Districts I-1 and 1-2 Districts Table 9.1103 has also been added to easily identify lot dimensions, height, and bulk requirements for the industrial districts. This section is essentially the same and allows for the same type of industrial uses as the existing ordinance. The I-1 District has been retitled as I-1, Light Industrial District; and the I-2 District has been retitled as 1-2, General Industrial District. Section 12: Mixed Use Development District This purpose of this section is to replace the traditional Planned Unit Development (PUD) process. This section has been written in order to set up mixed-use opportunities for these districts identified below. This section identifies three mixed-use districts all as identified in the Comprehensive Plan: · Transit-Oriented Mixed-Use District · Community Center Mixed-Use District · Transitional Mixed-Use District However, any mixed-use proposal would require a rezoning to a mixed-use district as set up in this section and as shown on the comprehensive plan. Each of these districts requires a specific mix of residential/commercial in order to achieve the desired development, should it occur. The minimum size of a mixed-use development as recommended by our planning consultant is five (5) acres. Section 13: Overlay Districts Floodplain Management Overlay District Shoreland Management Overlay District These districts have been established to recognize those unique areas of land and land use in the City, within flood prone areas and shoreland areas. The purpose of these districts in intended to protect public health and safety by preserving the environment. Section 14: Subdivision Regulations This section was reviewed and rewritten by City Engineer Kevin Hansen, and is consistent with a number of other similar communities.