7.b i.1 CouncilMemoRuralEventOrdinanceAmendment 1.17.17
Memorandum
To: Scandia Planning
Commission
Reference: Rural Event Facility Ordinance
Amendment
Copies To: Neil Soltis, City
Administrator
Brenda Eklund, City Clerk
Project No.: 16023.000
From: Sherri Buss, RLA AICP,
Planner
Routing:
Date: January 10, 2017
The City recently approved its first Conditional Use Permit for a Rural Event Facility. The review
of the application prompted discussion about the need to clarify and amend some of the
language and standards in the ordinance. The Planning Commission reviewed and discussed
the ordinance at its November and December meetings, and held a hearing on the proposed
ordinance amendments at its January meeting.
The proposed amendments to the Rural Event Facility ordinance include the following:
The definition for Rural Event Site has been amended to change the name to Rural
Event Activity Area throughout the ordinance to better distinguish the area where activity
is occurring from the whole property, and to specifically state that this area includes
parking areas, since this question came up during the Gacek review.
The section on application requirements was updated to change the date of the AOP
annual application and to combine the items that describe the requirements for the
Annual Report that is part of the AOP application to simplify this section.
Item 6(F) was revised to take out the general sentence about noise annoyance, to
replace this with a reference the City’s noise ordinance, and to specify that outdoor
sound amplification of ceremonies only is permitted. Indoor amplification of parties and
celebrations is permitted.
Item 6(G) was amended to require that security staff be provided if alcoholic beverages
are served, and to take out the reference to the facility having a license to serve
alcoholic beverages, since the caterer or others may be licensed rather than the facility
itself.
Item 6(I) was amended to state that the City may regulate the maximum number of
events that are permitted on a weekly or annual basis.
Item 6(J) was simplified to reference the City’s sign ordinance, so that this section does
not need to be updated when the City changes the sign ordinance in the future.
The Planning Commission received no verbal or written comments on the amendment, and
recommended that the Council approve the amendment at its January 17 meeting.