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SC�►NDIA
Memo �
To: Mayor and Council
Planning Commission
From: Anne Hurlburt,City Administrator
Date: June 30,2010 for Discussion at July 6,2010 Meeting
Re: Exterior Storage Regulations
The current regulations governing exterior storage are sometimes difficult to interpret. Staffwill be
recommending some changes to that section of Chapter 2, Section 3 of the Development Code,and to
the related definitions found in Chapter 1,to make them easier to understand. Some discussion about
the current code would be beneficial so that a dra$can be provided that is consistent with the values
and standards of the community and the intent of the Council and Planning Commission.
To summarize,the current language(see excerpt, Section 9.4, Exterior Storage,attached) states that:
• all personal property must be stored within a building or be fully screened,with a few
exceptions;
• limits parking in certain districts and parcel sizes(less than 10 acres in all districts)to no more
than four(4)passenger automobiles and pick-up trucks;
• exterior storage is accessory to a dwelling,and not allowed on a lot without a permanent
dwelling;
+ no more than two items of"recreation equipmenY'may be stored on any lot; o�ts� d-�
• campers can be occupied for up to 30 days while visiting a residence; and
� exterior storage in non-residential districts requires a Conditional Use Permit.
The section on parking(9.10) also includes some language regarding parking commercial vehicles on
residential or agricultural properties(see excerpt attached.) In summary:
• commercial vehicles over 1 ton capacity shall not be parked on residential or agicultural
properties(except trucks/tractors directly associated with the agricultural use)except when
loading�or unloading,except one such vehicle parked on"semi-rural or agricultural properties
by the property owner while in regular use."
1
• Except as allowed by the above provision,off-street parking accessory to residential uses may
be used solely for parking passenger automobiles and one truck not to exceed 12,000 pounds
for each dwelling unit.
Some of the issues that come up with the current language include:
• How do the regulations apply to certain types of personal property(such as children's toys,
sports equipment and outdoor furniture)that aren't mentioned in the code?
• Because lawn chairs and barbeque grills(and similar items)are included in the definition of
recreation equipment,and do not appear to be included in the exceptions for personal property
that can be kept outside,does the ordinance tecl�nically prohibit them from outdoor storage?
Is that reasonable?
• Is it practical to limit residences to four vehicles?
• What kind of commercial vehicles and equipment can be stored outside,on what lot sizes and
zoning districts? The code language on exterior storage appears to prohibit them,but then
makes exceptions in the parking section which can be read to be contradictory.
Some of the confusion might be alleviated by adopting new definitions for recreational equipment and
recreational vehicles that do not lump sand boxes and swing sets with boats and trailers,and do not
leave out some common types of recreational vehicles and equipment(such as snowmobiles.) The
regulations could then be more specific about what is allowed and what is not allowed. The current
definitions,along with possible new definitions,are shown on the next page.
An emerging issue far exterior storage is the use of shipping containers for storage of personal
property,on a short-term as well as a long-teim basis. This includes the commercially-available
"pods"typically used temporarily at a home or business and then moved to a commercial storage
facility. It also includes the larger inter-modal containers hauled by truck or train,which are not
considered accessory structures but might be used that way by property owners. Some time limits
and/or a restriction on the number of these containers may be appropriate.
The city's"rural character"probably indicates that there could be a more relaa�ed approach to exterior
storage than what might be found in an urban area. It might also be reasonable to have different
standards for different parts of the community; for example,the VMiJ or Village Neighborhood
districts might have different standards than the AG or GR districts proposed in the draft code.
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Exterior Storag�Recreation Equipmenb Recreation Vehicle
Current Definitions:
Recreation Equipment: Play apparatus such as swing sets and slides,sandboxes,poles for nets,unoccupied
boats and trailers not exceeding twenty-five(25)feet in length,picnic tables,lawn chairs,barbecue stands and
similar equipment or structures,swimming pools,play houses exceeding twenty-five(25)square feet in floor
area,or sheds utilized for storage of equipment.
Recrea6on Vehicle: Recreational Vehicle.A vehicle that is built on a single chassis,is 400 square feet or less
when measured at the largest horizontal projection,is designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a
light duty truck,and is designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters
for recreational,camping,travel,or seasonal use. For the purposes of this Chapter,the term recreational vehicle
shall be synonymous with the term travel trailer/travel vehicle.
Proposed Defini�ions:
Play and Recreational Facilities: Accessory structures and/or uses that are customary and incidental to
the principal use of the site, including swing sets,play structures, sand boxes, skate board ramps,tennis
courts, sport courts, swimming pools and their related aprons,and the like, intended for the enjoyment
and convenience of the residents of the principal use and their occasional guests.
Recreational Equipment: Personal property(non-vehicular)used primarily for recreation and leisure
time activities and purposes, including sports equipment,picnic tables,barbecue grills,bird feeders,patio
furniture,and the like.
Recreational Vehicle:A vehicle,machine,or device used priinarily for recreation and leisure time activities
and purposes,including recreational camping vehicles,classic cars,cars used for racing,motor boats,sailboats,
row boats,canoes,snowmobiles,all-terrain vehicles,and the like,together with any trailer appurtenant thereto.
Recreational Velucle,Camping:Any vehicle ar stcucture which meets the following qualifications:
� Any vel�iculaz,portable structure mounted on wheels to be towed by a self-propelled vehicle,and designed to
be used as temporary living quarters far travel,vacation uses or for recreational uses.Such st�uctures include
travel trailers,pop-up(including folding and retractable)cainpers,ice-fishing houses,and the like.
• Any vehicular,portable stiucture designed to be mounted on a truck upon a self-propelled vehicle far use as
te�nporary living quarters for travel,recreation,or vacation uses.Such structures include,but are not limited to,
pick-up campers.
• Any vehicular,portable stcucture mowited on wheels,designed to be used as temporary living quarteis for
travel,recneation,or vacation uses,and which is constiucted as an integral part of a self-propelled vehicle.
Such vehicles include motorhomes,mini-motorhomes,buses converted into campeis,and the like.
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Chapter Two ❖Zoning Regulations (Revised 9/27/06)Effective 6/l/99
or garbage generated off site is not permitted except as
provided in Section 1037.
(E) operable/Unlicensed Vehicles �
1. Passenger vehicles and trucks in inoperable state
s all not be parked in any dis cts, except in a i
loc ion authorized as a v cle reduction yard or �
enclo d building,for eriod exceeding seven
consec 've days.
2. Any unlic d vehicle,capable of being operated, I
shall noi ai on any property for more than 30
days i uch velu e has been unlicensed in both the
cu nt and previo ear, except a vehicle used on
e property without t e requirement of a license.
Hazardous Waste (5) Hazar us Waste.Any use that gene tes,processes or
dis ses of hazardous waste shall comp with the standards
a regulations of the County's Hazardo Waste Management
rdinance,Minnesota Pollution Control A cy and any other
federal, siate and local agencies.
9.4. Exterior StoraQe
(1) Exterior storage shall be regulated by the following standards.
(2) Personal Property. Except as provided in Paragraph(3)below,
in all agricultural and residential districts,all personal property
shall be stored within a building or fully screened so as not to
be visible from adjoining properties and public streets,except
for the following: construction,landscaping and agricultural
materials and equipment currently(within a period of six(6)
months)being used on the premises; off-street parking of
licensed passenger autornobiles and pick-up trucks; and the
parking of such other vehicles as may be pernvtted by Section
9.10.
No more than four passenger automobiles and pick-up trucks
per lawfui dwelling unit may be kept or stored outside of a
building in the Semi-Rural"SR"District,the Single Fanuly
Estate"SFE"District,the Shoreland Overlay District,the St.
Croix River District or in the Agricultwal Preserves"AP"and
Agricultural"AG"Districts on parcels of 10 acres or less in
size.
� No personal property,vehicles, campers,travel trailers, �
recreational vehicles,equipment,lumber or materials(except
during the process of construction of a structure)shall be kept
or maintained on any lot or property on which a permanent
dwelling is not located.
2.9-10 New Scandia Township Development Code
Effective 6/1/99(Revised January 25,2007) Chapter Two •: Zoning Regulations
(3) Recreational Equipment.The outside storage of no more than
two (2)items of recreational equipment is permitted in one side
yard or rear yard in all zoning districts,provided that any such
side yard storage shall not be adjacent to a street and all .
setbacks are met. Additional recreational equipment must be
stored inside a building.
Recreational equipment shall include: boats and canoes; all-
terrain vehicles;campers;trailers for the transportation of
boats, canoes,all-terrain vehicles,snowmobiles, and
automobiles;all travel trailers or motor vehicles designed,
constructed,or used to provide temporary,movable living
quarters for recreational use.
Campers,travel trailers and motor vehicles designed'or used to
provide temporary,movable living quarters for recreational use
shall not, while parked,be used as a human dwelling place,
living abode 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 property on which a
permanent dwelling is located, for a period not to exceed thirty
(30)days per year while visiting the resident of said property. _
The recreational vehicle or trailer shall have self-contained
sanitary facilities or standard on-site facilities as required by
the building official.
(4) Non-residential Areas.In the RB and GB Districts, exterior
storage of useable personal property may be pemutted by
conditional use permit provided any such property is so stored
for purposes relating to a use of the property pernutted by this
Development Code and will not be conVary to the intent and
purpose of this Development Code.
(5) Waste, Refuse or Garbage.In al]districts waste,refuse and
garbage shall be kept in an enclosed building or properly
contained in a closed container designed for such purposes. �
The owner of vacant land shall be responsible for keeping such,
land free of refuse and weeds. �
The purpose of this section is to 9.S. e►ices
establish regulations,for fences.
(1) Ap 'cability. These standards s apply to all properties that
have fr age on a public r .
(2) General Perfo Standards.
� (A) ces are permitted in ordance with the following
regulations:
1. Solid walls in excess of four(4 eet above adjacent �
ground grades shall be prohibited
New Scandia Township Development Code 2.9-11
Effective 6/1/99(Revised January 25,2007) Chapter Two ❖ Zoning Regulations
The purpose of this S'L'CZ10Y1 ls to
provide for orderly, economic, and 9.9. Minin
safe renzoval and processing of
sa��d, grnvel, rock, soil, and other ining within the Township is regulated by New Sca dia Township
rnaterial. Or inance Number 28 as amended.
The purpo,s�e of tJ71.5'SC'C�IOY! 1S l0 910. Park
establish parking slundards.
(1) Su acing and Drainage. Off-street parking eas shall be
.Surface and Drairiuge imp ved with a durable and dustless surf e. Such areas shall
be so aded and drained as to dispose of il surface water
accumu tion within the parking area. D rable and dustless
surface m include crushed rock and milar treatment for
parking acc sory to residential struc res up to and including
four(4) units; 11 other uses shall uti ze asphalt,concrete or a
reasonable subs ' ute surface as ap oved by the Town
engineer. Al) surf ing must be c pleted prior to occupancy
of the structure unle other arra gements have been made with
the Town.
Locatio�t (2) Location. All accessory o f-s eet parking facilities required
herein shall be located as f ows:
(A) Spaces accessory to ne d two family dwellings shall
be on the same lot the p 'ncipal use served.
(B) Spaces accesso to multiple mily dwelling shall be on
the same lot as e principa) use erved and within two
hundred(200) eet of the main en ance to the principal
building serv . Parking as require by the Americans
With Disabi ties Act(ADA)for the isabled shall be
provided.
(C) Spaces ac essory to uses located in the R tail Business
and Gen al Business Districts shall be on e same lot as
the prin pa1 building. Parking as required b he
Ameri ns With Disabilities Act(ADA)for th
handi pped shall be provided.
t� /� (D) Spa s accessory to commercial/industrial use shall e
s
�,�/� set ck ten(l0)feet from any street right-of-way or a y
pr perty line.
General Standar�s _/�� (3) Gener Provisions.
y .,
(A) Existing off-street parking spaces and loading spaces
� upon the effective date of this Development Code shall
not be reduced in number unless said number exceeds the
�/'�, requirements set forth herein for a similar use.
l7'
` , �.� (B) Motor vehicles over one(1)ton capacity bearing a
commercial license and commercially licensed trailers
New Scandia Township l�evelopment Code 2.9-23
Chapter Two ❖ 7_oning Regulations (Revised 9/27/06)Effective 6/1/99
shall not be parked or stored on residential or agricultural
properties(with the exception of trucks/tractors directly
associated with the agricultural use)except when loading,
unloading, or rendering service and except that one(1)
such truck and/or trailer may be stored or parked on semi-
rural residential or agricultural properties by the property
owner while in regular use.
(C) A rking space shall not be less th nine(9)feet wide
and ei teen (18) feet in length clusive of an
adequatel esigned system access drives. Parking lots
that separate icles bas on size may be designed with
parking spaces le h or greater than nine(9)feet wide
and eighteen(18) e ' length dependin�upon the size
of the vehicle, long as equate space is provided for
easy and saf �ngress and egr for the vehicle. Proposed
reductio m or additions to the king space size must
be sub itted in a dimensioned site p with size of
veh' e to use parking spaces indicated review and
a roval. Signs specifying the vehicle size t e the
arking space shall be required. Parking spaces o e
handicapped shall be in accordance with the American
With Disabilities Act(ADA).
) Except as provided in Paragraph (3)(B)of this section,
off-street parking facilities accessory to residential uses
shall be utilized solely for the parking of passenger
automobiles and/or one(1)truck not to exceed twelve
thousand pounds(12,000)gross capacity for each
dwelling unit. Under no circumstances shall required
parking facilities accessory to residential structures be
used for the storage of commercial vehicles or for the
parking of automobiles belonging to the employees,
owners,tenants or customers of nearby businesses or
manufacturing establishments.
(E) ff-street parking facilities for a combination of �xed
bu� 'ngs, structures or uses may be provided lectively
in any ' trict"(except residential districts n which
separate par ' facilities for each sepa e building,
structure or use uld be required, vided that the total
number of spaces pr ided shal qual the sum of the
separate requirements o ac use during any peak hour
parking period.
(F) When required acc ory off-stre arking facilities are
provided elsewh e than on the lot in hich the principal
use served is 1 ated,they shall be in the me ownership
or control,e' er by deed or long-term lease, the
property cupied by such principal use, and the o r of
the prin pal use shall file a recordable document with
2.9-24 New Scandia Township Development Code