09-23-03 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
September 23, 2003
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:39 p.m.
Members Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; John Enger; and Sue Sandahl.
Members
Not Present:
Staff Present:
Gertrude Ulrich.
Steven Devich, Acting City Manager; Bruce Palmborg, Community
Development Director; Dan Scott, Public Safety Director; Cheryl Krumholz,
Recording Secretary; and Corrine Thomson, City Attorney.
Item #1
Council Member Enger stated he requested the City Council discuss options the City has for
enforcement and possible code revisions related to the number of vehicles parked on residential lots
and the amount of space in front yards used for parking.
Council Member Enger asked for clarification of the three parking space requirement
referenced in the City Attorney's correspondence dated August 6, 2003.
Public Safety Director Scott stated the ordinance does not define how many vehicles can be
parked in each space.
Mayor Kirsch said nothing in the ordinance prohibits parking in a turnaround area.
City Attorney Thomson stated the ordinance defines the space with reference to the garage -
the area goes from the street to a garage stall entrance. She said the original ordinance was written
so the City did not limit the number of cars parked in a driveway.
Council Member Enger said there may be a conflict within the code because the zoning
section states one space per garage door opening plus one additional space. He stated support for
this option.
City Attorney Thomson stated the grandfather clause in the current ordinance could be
eliminated so parking limitations can be enforced.
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September 23, 2003
Council Member Enger stated the City Council could eliminate gravel front yards. He added
the number of "for sale" vehicles in front yards should also be curtailed.
Mayor Kirsch asked about the definition of a "vehicle".
Public Safety Director Scott said there is no clear definition of "vehicle" or "space". He added
that definitions within the new ordinance would aid in enforcement.
Council Member Enger stated he had no problem with parking deep in front of the garage, but
took issue with parking all over the front yard.
Public Safety Director Scott said streets marked as no parking need to be considered when
establishing limitations.
Mayor Kirsch stated that many people living in one home may force on-street parking.
Public Safety Director Scott stated the limitations could be based upon the number of licensed
drivers living in the house.
City Attorney Thomson stated the current ordinance permits a parking area, but does not limit
the number of vehicles.
Council Member Sandahl stated she had no objection to removing the grandfather clause
from the ordinance, especially since it is not enforceable. She asked if gravel surfaces are permitted
now.
Public Safety Director Scott said the grandfather clause permits gravel if in place prior to
1993.
City Attorney Thomson said gravel areas are not the driveways.
Mayor Kirsch asked how close the side of the driveway can be to the property line.
Public Safety Director Scott Said the distance is different for structures and driveways.
Council Member Sandahl recommended that homeowners be encouraged to not use gravel,
but hard surfaces, in the future. She said there are two enforcement options - the number of
licensed drivers related to the number of vehicles in a home and driveway parking with one space on
a paved surface, parking headlight to taillight, not angled.
City Attorney Thomson explained other cities have ordinances that address these parking
issues and the storage of recreational vehicles.
The City Council requested examples of ordinances from other cities who have been
successful in addressing these issues.
Council Member Enger suggested the City Council review parking issues and recreational
vehicle storage all at once.
The City Council consensus was to review all these issues together.
Public Safety Director Scott said staff will gather information, prepare a new ordinance and
return to the City Council for discussion at a future Worksession.
Council Member Sandahl asked about restriction of driveways parallel to the street on the
boulevard.
City Attorney Thomson stated no parking space is permitted on the public right-of-way without
an encroachment permit.
Council Member Sandahl asked about the use of the administrative hearing process for
enforcement of these issues.
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September 23, 2003
Public Safety Director Scott explained the process has not yet been utilized.
Public Safety Director Scott explained the League of Minnesota Cities is reviewing the process
of cities handling the fines from their own traffic citations.
City Attorney Thomson said there is some opposition to this process from the State.
Council Member Enger said on-street parking has also increased in the City.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:13 p.m.
Date Approved: October 14, 2003
~d~k)
Recording Secretary