HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 1678ORDINANCE NO. 1678
BEING AN INTERIM ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A MORATORIUM WITHIN THE CITY ON NEW RENTAL LICENSE
APPLICATIONS FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES
The City of Columbia Heights does herby ordain:
(a) Preamble
The City of Columbia Heights ("City") is concerned that it has become increasingly difficult for potential
home buyers wishing to purchase property in the City to identify financially attainable options. Many
such options are quickly purchased by remote corporate entities and converted to rental properties.
Further, the City is concerned that the overall number of rental properties in the City has increased at
an unsustainable rate. In addition, the City is aware of possible shortcomings within City Code relating
to provisions governing rental licenses and property maintenance and would like to be more proactive
in securing compliance for the health, safety, and welfare of City residents generally.
The City Council finds it necessary to conduct studies to: (1) determine the current makeup and status
of the rental housing stock within the City; (2) determine the effect and feasibility of creating a rental
density cap on single family residences; (3) consider whether the city has sufficient staffing, resources,
and processes to establish and maintain a rental density cap.
Upon completion of the foregoing studies, the City will consider the options for amendments to City
Code in order to maintain and increase the inventory of attainable homes available for purchase by
current and prospective City residents, and deal with the unsustainable increase in properties
constructed as or converted to rental housing, and whether City Code changes can address that
ongoing issue.
(b) Moratorium Established; Scope
(1) In accordance with the above and pursuant to authority granted by Minn. Stat. § 462.355, subd. 4,
the City hereby establishes a moratorium on the receipt, processing, or approval of any new rental
license for a single-family residential structure. It does not include such residences as townhomes,
duplex's, apartments, cooperatives, or condominiums.
(2) The moratorium shall not apply to: (a) any complete rental license application submitted to the City
on or before August 22, 2022; (b) any application for renewal of an existing rental license; (c) any
application already approved or in the process of approval by the City:
Any application submitted and received prior to August 22, 2022, but deemed incomplete by the
City, shall be returned to the applicant, along with the application fee, and no resubmission of such
application shall be accepted during the moratorium. The City may make exception for any
application in individual cases in the event that extreme financial hardship as determined by the
City in its sole discretion.
(c) Enforcement
Any person, corporation, or other entity found to be in violation of this Ordinance
Ordinance 1678
City of Columbia Heights - Ordinance
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. The City may enforce this Ordinance by
mandamus, injunction, or other appropriate criminal or civil remedy in any court
of competent jurisdiction.
(d) Term
Unless earlier rescinded by action of the City Council, the moratorium established
by this Ordinance shall remain in full force and effect for 12 months after its effective date. The
moratorium may be extended as provided in Minn. Stat. §462.355, subd. 4(d).
(e) Effective Date
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the date of its passage.
First Reading:
August 8, 2022
Offered by:
Buesgens
Seconded by:
Murzyn, Jr.
Roll Call:
All Ayes
Second Reading: August 22, 2022
Offered by: Jacobs
Seconded by: Novitsky
Roll Call: All Ayes, Murzyn Jr. Absent
Date of Passage: August 22, 2022
Am da Marquez Simula, Mayor
Attest:
Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary
Page 2
Ordinance 1678
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 1678
BEING AN INTERIM ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A MORATORIUM WITHIN THE CITY ON NEW
RENTAL LICENSE APPLICATIONS FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES
The City Council for the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota adopted Ordinance No. 1678 on
August 22, 2022.
The purpose of this ordinance is to establish, upon passage, a moratorium on the receipt,
processing, or approval of any new rental license for a single-family residential structure. As an
Interim ordinance this ordinance will be in effect for 12 months after its passage dated August
22, 2022 and can only be extended with further action by the city council described in state
statute section 462.355. This ordinance does not apply to: (a) any complete rental license
application submitted to the City on or before August 22, 2022; (b) any application for the
renewal of an existing rental license; (c) any application already approved or in the process of
approval by the City.
This is a summary of Ordinance No. 1678. A copy of the entire text of the Ordinance is available
for public inspection during regular office hours at City Hall, by standard or electronic mail, or at
www.columbiaheightsmn.gov.
Attest:
Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary
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