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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 10-29-1996 SpecialMinutes Special Council Meeting October 29, 1996 A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 5:33 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on October 29, 1996. COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Anderson, Wold, Preus, and Black. Councilmember Granath arrived at 5:35 p.m. Councilmember Lymangood arrived at 5:37 p.m. AB SENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Lueckert, Community Development Director Hurlburt, Public Works Director Moore, City Attorney Knutson, and City Clerk Ahrens. Mayor Tierney announced that the purpose of the meeting is to consider the proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments concerning RV parking, including draft ordinance sections 21105.11 and 21135.06. She called on Councilmember Preus who had initiated the call for the special meeting. Motion was made by Councilmember Preus, seconded by Councilmember Wold, to adopt RESOLUTION 96- DIRECTING THE STAFF AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO DELETE CERTAIN LANGUAGE RESTRICTING THE PARKING AND STORAGE OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES FROM THE DRAFT ZONING ORDINANCE. He explained that this would remove from the proposed Zoning Ordinance that language contained in sections 21105.11 Subd. 2, paragraphs b and c; to insert a sixth provision under paragraph a to specify exceptions of recreational vehicles and equipment; and to remove from 2113 5.06 subdivision 1, as well as the last sentence of subdivision 3. Councilmember Granath arrived at 5:35 p.m. Councilmember Preus stated that the proposed language contained in the ordinance is something that he could never support. He believes it is much too restrictive for Plymouth. This issue has generated a tremendous amount of attention in the City and if it is not corrected, much staff, Planning Commission, and Council time will be spent to address it. He suggested that this problem could be resolved now by removing the language from consideration in the draft Zoning Ordinance. Councilmember Lymangood arrived at 5:37 p.m. Special Council Meeting October 29, 1996 Page 2 Councilmember Preus added that the draft Zoning Ordinance has important information that needs to be addressed. He would not want all attention drawn to the RV issue so that other extremely important issues are ignored. He also believes that some members of the public have the impression that the staff, Planning Commission, and Council cannot be trusted. He believes that they can be trusted, but understands how trust may have been lost in this process. Councilmember Preus said that there are additional issues that need to be amended in the draft Zoning Ordinance, and these will be considered during the remainder of the review and adoption process. Councilmember Anderson said he has been contacted by many residents who are upset with the proposed restrictions on recreational vehicles. He thanked Councilmember Preus for bringing the issue to the Council for action in a proactive manner. Councilmember Black agreed. She encouraged residents to be involved in the public hearings on the proposed Zoning Ordinance if there are other issues of concern. She also noted that other issues may arise that that need to be addressed by the Council following adoption of the Zoning Ordinance. Councilmember Wold stated that it was not his intention to adopt language that would have unintended consequences. He noted that this is the end of the construction season. Even if the restrictions were adopted, residents would have no opportunity to comply with the requirements. He said there are many important issues that need to be addressed in the draft Zoning Ordinance. Removal of the recreation vehicle restrictions from consideration will allow discussion and action on the remainder of the Ordinance. Councilmember Preus noted that his motion does not intend to delay consideration of recreational vehicles -- it would permanently end the issue. However, the issue could be raised by another Councilmember at some time in the future. If the issue is considered, he believes it should be considered as a separate issue, rather than part of an entire Zoning Ordinance. Councilmember Granath stated that some residents believed that he had originated the recreational vehicle proposal. He had nothing to do with initiating the proposal and stated that he would not support it. Councilmember Lymangood noted that the numbering sequence is incorrect with the proposed amendments. Community Development Director Hurlburt said the numbering has been corrected in the final draft. Mayor Tierney said she has also received a number of calls from concerned citizens, and the issue caught the Council by surprise. She said it is too bad that the issue went as far as it did; however, there are also resident concerns with junk vehicles and offending vehicles Special Council Meeting October 29, 1996 Page 3 that may need to be addressed at some time. She asked what will be discussed at the Zoning Ordinance meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m. tonight. Director Hurlburt explained that this is the sixth of six public meetings on the proposed Zoning Ordinance. The purpose of the meeting is to provide an overview of the entire Zoning Ordinance. Input will be received and recommendations will be made to the Planning Commission for their public hearing on November 12. That public hearing will be continued to November 19. Staff will announce the Council's action taken at this meeting at the beginning of the 7 p.m. meeting, and a new flyer has been prepared for distribution. In response to questions, Attorney Knutson stated that this special meeting was called specifically to discuss recreational vehicles. He advised that discussion of other items would be inappropriate. Councilmember Lymangood said that he may wish to discuss adding a section relating to landscape equipment or inoperable vehicles at a future time. Attorney Knutson stated that it could not be discussed at this meeting, but could be considered at a future meeting. Director Hurlburt said the staff has prepared a report for the Planning Commission and Council on other changes to the draft Zoning Ordinance that may be recommended. Councilmember Lymangood requested that a status report on the proposed Zoning Ordinance be placed on the November 6 regular meeting agenda. Councilmember Preus suggested a show of hands from the audience on whether they favor removal of the language on recreation vehicles from the proposed Zoning Ordinance. The majority of audience members favored the proposal. Councilmember Lymangood suggested opening the meeting to public comment. Mayor Tierney asked that those opposed to the motion be asked for comment, since the majority of the audience favors the Council's proposed action. Councilmember Wold said that action is needed on the proposed Zoning Ordinance. He suggested that if recreational vehicles are addressed, it should be done by the new City Council in 1997. Councilmember Preus agreed. He expressed concern about hearing only one side of the public comment. He believes that if the meeting is opened for comment, the Council should hear from everyone. Special Council Meeting October 29, 1996 Page 4 Councilmember Granath said he has had many phone calls on this issue. He doesn't want someone leaving the meeting thinking they didn't have the opportunity to speak. Councilmember Lymangood said there is an announced meeting at 7 p.m. The Council could take public comment until 6:30 p.m. Ed Albro addressed the Council. He disagreed with the Council's proposed action to remove recreational vehicles from consideration in the draft Zoning Ordinance because he doesn't believe it goes far enough. He said there is enough big government without adding some of the things contained in the draft Ordinance relating to what residents can and cannot do on their own property. Much of this is based on people's likes and dislikes, with no evidence that the current nuisance ordinance can not adequately address issues relating to health, safety, and welfare of citizens. He said the recreational vehicles are not well defined in the ordinance, and it doesn't address utility trailers and some boats. In a tour of the 4h Ward, Mr. Albro found that about 3 5 percent of the homes are not in compliance due to outside storage of bicycles, canoes, docks, lawnmowers, or hose reels. Director Hurlburt said that this information would be useful for input to the Planning Commission public hearing, and added that written comments are also encouraged. Mayor Tierney invited other residents to comment, but suggested that they could hold their comments until the 7 p.m. meeting. Councilmember Lymangood said he would like to hear from anyone who wants to comment. Councilmember Preus agreed with Mr. Albro that the proposed Ordinance.does not go far enough. His intention is to eliminate the worst provision of the ordinance relating to recreational vehicles, and to address other provisions during the remainder of the review and approval process. The Council can give staff direction at the next meeting. Councilmember Black said that she served on the Planning Commission with Mr. Albro and values his opinion. She encouraged all citizens to bring their opinions forward for consideration by the Planning Commission and City Council. Councilmember Anderson requested a roll call vote. Motion carried, seven ayes. Motion was made by Councilmember Wold, seconded by Councilmember Anderson, to adjourn the meeting at 6:07 p.m. Motion carried. OC,rc c.c, City Clerk