5c exterior storage
Memorandum
To: Scandia Planning
Commission
Reference: Exterior Storage and Parking
Requirements—Recent Issues
Copies To: Neil Soltis, City
Administrator
Brenda Eklund, City Clerk
Project No.: 16023.000
From: Sherri Buss, RLA AICP,
Planner
Routing:
Date: July 25, 2016
Exterior Storage and Vehicle Storage Issues
The City has received a number of complaints regarding vehicle parking on parcels—including
cars and recreational vehicles. The issues have been of particular concern on smaller
lakeshore parcels, where neighbors are concerned that long-term parking of numerous vehicles
affects the appearance and value of adjacent parcels.
The issues of concern include:
How many vehicles (including recreational vehicles) should be permitted to be parked,
and for how long, that can be viewed from the street and neighboring properties? What
needs to be screened or stored inside? What setbacks should be required?
What is the “front” yard on lakeshore parcels?
The City Administrator can provide some photos of the property that recently received
complaints, to illustrate the concerns. A copy of email correspondence with the City Attorney is
attached to provide additional thoughts on the interpretation of the current ordinance
requirements.
Current Scandia Regulations
The existing regulations related to parked vehicles and exterior storage are located in Chapter
2, Section 3.3 of the zoning ordinance. The current regulations specify the following:
Passenger vehicles and trucks in an inoperable state shall not be parked in any districts,
except in a location authorized as a vehicle reduction yard or enclosed building, for a
period exceeding seven consecutive days.
Any unlicensed vehicle, capable of being operated, shall not remain on any property for
more than 30 days if such vehicle has been unlicensed in both the current and previous
year, except a vehicle used on the property without the requirement of a license.
All personal property shall be stored within a building or fully screened so as not to be
visible form adjoining properties and public streets, except for the following:
Exterior Storage and Parking Regulations Page 2 August 2, 2016
Scandia Planning Commission
o Construction, landscaping and agricultural materials and equipment currently
(within a period of six months) being used on the premises;
o Off-street parking of licensed passenger automobiles and pick-up trucks; and the
parking of such other vehicles as may be permitted by Section 3.10 of this
chapter;
o Storage of not more than 2 recreational vehicles or recreation camping vehicles
in a side yard or rear yard, provided that any such side yard storage shall not be
adjacent to a street and all setbacks are met. Additional recreational equipment
shall be stored inside a building
o Recreation camping vehicles shall not, while parked or stored, be used as a
human dwelling or living quarters, except that such a vehicle owned by a non-
resident guest or visitor may be parked or occupied by said guest or visitor on a
property on which a permanent dwelling is located, for a period not to exceed 30
days per year while visiting the resident of said property. The recreation camping
vehicle or trailer shall have self-contained sanitary facilities.
Section 3.10
o Off-street parking facilities accessory to residential and agricultural uses shall be
utilized solely for the parking of passenger automobiles and trucks with a gross
vehicle weight rating 12,000 pounds or greater than 30 feet in length. No more
than 4 such vehicles per lawful dwelling unit shall be parked or stored outside of
a building on parcels of 10 acres or less. Larger trucks, contracting or excavating
equipment, and storage trailers shall not be parked, stored or otherwise located
on any lot, with the following exceptions:
Trucks, tractors and other vehicles and equipment directly associated
with an agricultural use of the property; or
When loading, unloading, rendering service or being used in conjunction
with a temporary service, including construction or remodeling project
City of Forest Lake Standards
The Planner attached a copy of the City of Forest Lake standards for Vehicles and Exterior
Storage for comparison to the Scandia ordinance. Forest Lake restricts the time during which
recreational vehicles may be parked temporarily in residential districts to 72 hours.
PC Discussion
The Planning Commission should review the current City standards and recent complaints, and
discuss whether changes are needed to the standards for parking and exterior storage.