HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/22/2006URBAN AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2006
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Urban Affairs Committee was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Shirley
Doering.
Members Present: Barry Berg, Shirley Doering, Shelley Madore, and Sharon Schwartz.
Members Absent: Sandy Breuer, Robin Curran and Pam Sohlberg.
Staff Present: Kathy Bodmer, Associate City Planner; Margaret Dykes, Associate City Planner;
Sharon Hills, City Attorney; and Tim Miller, Code Enforcement Officer.
Guests present: None
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Shelley Madore moved, seconded by Sharon Schwartz, to approve the agenda. The
motion carved 4-0.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 25, 2006.
MOTION: Shelley Madore moved, seconded by Barry Berg, to approve the minutes. The motion
carried 4-0.
4. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Residential Parking Issues -Possible Amendments to City Code
Maggie Dykes highlighted the changes that had been made since the last meeting and provided an
overview of the ordinance as it is currently proposed.
Tim Miller stated that he was concerned about the requirement that states that residents would now
have to park their boats on a paved surface. He stated there are many cases in the City where
residents are currently parking or storing their boats on gravel or grass. He stated that this would
significantly impact residents. He stated that boats do not drain oil or gas. As a result, he felt that
requiring that they be parked on a paved surface did not make sense.
Barry agreed with Tim and stated that most boat motors are self-contained. He suggested that the
ordinance could be revised so that the "motor" portion of a motorized vehicle must be parked over
an impervious surface.
Sharon Hills stated that the requirement for paving can be linked to the fact that motors can leak
onto the ground. She stated that the Committee needs to keep in mind what causes the harm.
Urban Affairs Committee Minutes
February 22, 2006
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Draft
Shelley Madore stated that the requirement that all motorized vehicles must be parked on a paved
surface is easy to understand. She feels that the paving requirement for all motorized vehicles
including boats and jet skis should remain in the new ordinance.
Sharon Schwartz stated she thought the existing ordinance already required motorized vehicles to be
parked on a paved surface. Tim responded that only self-propelled motorized vehicles like cars,
trucks and motor homes must be parked on a paved surface. Other motorized vehicles such as
boats, ATVs, jet skis, etc. may currently be parked on gravel or grass.
The Committee members discussed the fact that boat motors would not leak if the boat was properly
maintained. Shelley asked whether boats need a license. Tim said yes, every 3 to 4 years. Maggie
stated that boats in good condition may not leak, but boats that have been stored outside for a period
of time may be a problem. Shelley stated that ATVs can leak. She asked whether there could be an
exemption for boats that have self-contained motors.
Barry noted that ATVs have about 3 quarts of petroleum products and suggested that the ordinance
could say that motors that contain a three quart reservoir of petroleum products must be parked on
an impervious surface. Sharon Hills stated that her ATV only uses one quart of oil.
Shirley summarized the discussion by saying that the basic question is what the City Council will
feel comfortable with and what the citizens can live with.
Sharon Schwartz said that she prefers the impervious surface requirements. She said that she is
concerned about people who have junk. She asked whether Sharon Hills can craft language that
specifies "self-contained" motors. Sharon Hills stated that she would do research and get back to
the Committee on that.
Shelley said that she agrees with Sharon. She is nervous about allowing Class I vehicles with
motors to be parked on an unpaved surface. She said short-term storage may be less of an issue.
But, if someone is storing a motorized vehicle year-round, she'd want it on a paved surface. Sharon
Hills suggested that perhaps the issue gets down to the problem of outdoor storage rather than motor
type.
Shirley asked Tim what percent of boats are not parked on a paved surface today. Tim said most
boats have been put away for the winter. In the summer, most residents park their boats on the
driveway or beside the house. Shirley noted that the ordinance amendments would ask people to
pave an area they are already using for parking.
Sharon Schwartz stated that the survey asked whether trailers should be parked on a paved or gravel
surface. She noted that 50% of the residents supported that requirement. Tim noted that gravel is
different from paving because gravel can be installed by the homeowner.
Shelley stated that it would be just as easy to install an additional pad. The. Committee discussed
what permits were needed to widen an existing driveway. Barry stated that there needs to be a
mechanism to ensure that all permits and code requirements relative to driveways and parking are
discussed up front with residents.
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Urban Affairs Committee Minutes
February 22, 2006
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Draft
The committee next discussed how long loading and unloading of recreational vehicles should be
allowed. Barry stated that motor homes are. going to fit into the Class II category and will no longer
fit on the driveway with the new required setbacks. In his opinion, Apple Valley would be
prohibiting residents from having motor homes. The Cornrnittee discussed a provision that would
allow loading and unloading of RVs for a period of not more than 72 hours. During this time, the
motor home could encroach into the setback. Some members felt 72 hours was too long. Some
preferred 72 hours. The Committee discussed how often and within what span of time the 72 hours
would work. Shirley stated that this should be one item to ask the Council during the joint meeting.
The Committee agreed that they would like to hear what the City Council thought of that timeframe.
Shirley stated that when the Committee meets with the City Council at the joint City Council and
Urban Affairs meeting, that four questions should be posed to the Council to get their direction:
1. Show them the photographs of existing pazking situations around the City.
2. Paved vs. unpaved parking areas for motorized Class I vehicles
3. Would more vehicles be permitted if the driveway is widened?
4. How much time should be given for loading and unloading motor homes? Seventy-
two hours?
5. OTHER BUSINESS
a. None
6. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Sharon moved, seconded by Shelley, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was
adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
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