Public Hearing: Garbage Can Storage and Recreational Vehicle Parking
Public Hearing Related to Garbage Cans and Recreational Vehicle Parking
Recently, the Planning Commission has begun considering amendments to the City’s Zoning Ordinance related to the storage of garbage cans (Section 11-4-3), recreational vehicle parking (Sections 11-2-2 and 11-8-2), and surfacing of parking areas (Section 11-9-8). The proposed amendments would generally allow greater flexibility in where garbage cans and recreational vehicles can be stored on residential properties.
Current Requirements
The Garbage/Refuse Ordinance currently states that in all zoning districts, garbage containers shall be kept in an enclosed building, or if stored outside, shall be screened from view using wood or brick materials.
The Recreational Vehicle Parking Ordinance currently states that recreational vehicles can only be parked in the side or rear yard, upon a hard surface, and must be screened from view. In addition, most recreational vehicles require a 5 foot setback from the property line. Folding tent campers and small utility trailers (5’ x 8’ or smaller) may be parked in the driveway, but only between April 1st and October 31st. No other recreational vehicles may be parked in the driveway.
Proposed Amendments
The City has found that current requirements tend to be restrictive and do not reflect the current practice of Elko New Market residents. Thus, the Planning Commission is considering the following amendments:
- Section 11-4-3 – Garbage and Refuse
- Distinguishes commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential properties from single family and two-family residential properties.
- Replaces wood with maintenance free material as an acceptable screening material (for commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential properties).
- Permits single family and two-family residential properties to store garbage cans in side or rear yard adjacent to garage without screening.
- Exempts dumpsters or refuse containers used for construction purposes from the location and screening requirements.
- Section 11-2-2 – Zoning Ordinance Definitions
- Removes definitions for specific types of recreational vehicles and defines recreational vehicle more broadly.
- Section 11-8-2 – Recreational Vehicle Parking
- Adds ATVs, dirt bikes, dune buggies, go-karts, golf carts, ice/fish houses, snowmobiles, and UTVs as recreational vehicles.
- Prohibits recreational vehicles from extending into or obstructing the public sidewalk or public right-of-way.
- Allows only one recreational vehicle exceeding 24 feet in length to be parked on a residential property and none exceeding thirty (30) feet in length.
- Identifies three seasonal classifications (warm weather season, cold weather season, or year-round) for recreational vehicles.
- Permits up to two (2) recreational vehicles to be parked in the driveway during periods of seasonal use.
- Removes the screening requirement for recreational vehicles.
- Permits recreational vehicles to be parked in the rear or side yard on a surface of concrete, bitumen, or pavers entirely outside of buffer yards and public easements.
- Exempts properties with existing gravel side parking areas from surfacing requirements.
- Requires recreational vehicles to be parked at least 5 feet from property lines or 10 feet from property lines on corner lots abutting a public right-of-way.
- Enumerates recreational vehicles parked on a trailer as one (1) recreational vehicle.
- Removes nonconforming location permit.
- Section 11-9-8 (E) – Surfacing and Maintenance of Off Street Parking
- Exempts properties with existing gravel side parking areas from surfacing requirements.
Public Hearing for Proposed Amendments
The Elko New Market Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing on January 22, 2020 at 7:00 PM, or shortly thereafter, at the Elko New Market Area Hall to consider amendments to Sections 11-4-3, 11-2-2, 11-8-2, and 11-9-8 (E) of the Zoning Ordinance.
If you’d like to learn more about the proposed amendments or wish to express an opinion about the proposed amendments, we invite you to attend the Public Hearing on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 where a draft ordinance amendment will be presented to the Planning Commission.
The complete draft ordinance amendment can be found here: https://www.ci.enm.mn.us/vertical/sites/%7B97941C7E-666C-4328-9370-1A15F984EEE3%7D/uploads/Draft_Ordinance_Amendment_RVs__Garbage_Cans_V5.pdf
Please contact Planner Haley Sevening, at hsevening@ci.enm.mn.us or 952.461.2777 if you’d like additional information or have questions regarding the proposed amendments.