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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 I IKKI �1 Wda