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.
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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
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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.
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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