1c Amend Chapter 20 of City Code
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Administration
Phone: 952.227.1100
Fax: 952.227.1110
Building Inspections
Phone: 952.227.1180
Fax: 952.227.1190
Engineering
Phone: 952.227.1160
Fax: 952.227.1170
Finance
Phone: 952.227.1140
Fax: 952.227.1110
Park & Recreation
Phone: 952.227.1120
Fax: 952.227.1110
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone: 952.227.1400
Fax: 952.227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Phone: 952.227.1130
Fax: 952.227.1110
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Phone: 952.227.1300
Fax: 952.227.1310
Senior Center
Phone: 952.227.1125
Fax: 952.227.1110
Web Site
WWVI.ci .chanhassen. mn .us
lc
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manger
FROM:
Bob Generous, Senior Planner
DATE:
May 29,2007
SUBJ:
Adoption of Ordinance, Chapter 20, Chanhassen City Code,
Zoning
ACTION REQUIRED
A simple majority vote of City Council members present is required to adopt the
amendment.
BACKGROUND
In administering the City Code, staff has discovered some issues and omissions
that need to be addressed. Our overall intent is to try to make the code easier to
understand and use. The proposed changes to Chapter 20 were reviewed by the
Chanhassen Planning Commission on May 15, 2007.
The Planning Commission tabled the review of the fa~ade transparency
requirement for additional work. However, the Planning Commission voted
unanimously (7 - 0) to recommend approval of the balance of the ordinance
amendments. The Planning Commission minutes for May 15,2007 are attached.
SUMMARY
Staff believes that these changes are primarily administrative, rather than
substantive, in nature and is recommending approval of the amendment.
RECOMMENDA TION
Staff and the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council adopt the
attached ordinance amending Chapter 20 of the Chanhassen City Code.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Planning Commission Minutes dated May 15,2007.
2. Planning Commission Staff Report dated May 15,2007.
3. Ordinance Amending Chapter 20, Chanhassen City Code.
g:\plan\bg\city code\cc memo ch 20 may 2007.doc
The City 01 Chanhassen · A growing community with clean lakes, quality schools, a chamning downtown, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautiful parks. A great place to live, work, and play.
19. The plans must be modified so that the wall is a minimum of 15 feet from the storm sewer.
20. The property owner must sign an encroachment agreement for the western retaining wall.
21. The developer's engineer must submit a sketch verifying that construction of the retaining
wall on the east side of the property will not compromise the tree preservation area within
Outlot C.
22. The contractor must call the City to inspect the connection to the sanitary sewer manhole.
23. The buildings are required to have an automatic fire extinguishing system.
24. The plans must be prepared and signed by design professionals licensed in the State of
Minnesota.
25. Retaining walls over four feet high must be designed by a professional engineer and a permit
must be obtained prior to construction.
26. As a condition of granting the variance the total signage area, including the logo area,
shall not exceed the total area allowed for signage under the ordinance.
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 6 to O.
(Mark Undestad excused himself from this item due to a conflict of interest.)
PUBLIC HEARING:
ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 20. ZONING. CHANHASSEN CITY
CODE.
Generous: Thank you Mr. Chairman, commissioners. Some of these are more our housekeeping
measures like Section 20-5 from the ordinance specifies all the arterial and collector roads in the
city. We just added Bluff Creek Boulevard and we're recommending that it be included in the
list. The second amendment is to Section 20-258. Under the licensing section of the ordinance
we permit golf courses to have liquor licenses but under the CUP standards we didn't permit it
for golf courses, only driving ranges and so we wanted to have it all consistent and in the same
language so we're recommending that that be added to Section 20-258, subsection 7. The third
issue is in all our commercial industrial districts we discovered that when we cite the landscaping
ordinance we, through re-codification of the ordinance we missed the citations changed and so
the numbers weren't there. They were.. .now and so rather than cite a specific number we're
going to try to cite the entire Article and Division that deals with landscaping and tree
preservation and specifically the landscaping standards with setbacks adjacent to parking lots and
required standards for plantings... So that affects the neighborhood business district, the
highway and business services district, the general business district, the fringe business district,
the office and institutional district and the industrial office park districts, so we'd make the same
change to all of those. Under Accessory structures, Section 20-904. Currently we limit the size
of accessory structures for properties that are single family residential to 1,000 square feet. What
20
we've been running into is a lot of people that have A-2 property that is no longer farmed are
coming in and building 2,000, 3,000 square foot accessory structures for their home and then
they start to run businesses out of them which is prohibited under our ordinance. We believe that
if we limit the size of the accessory structure we would hopefully contain some of that. Existing
farmsteads, ifthey want to continue in the community, other existing accessory structures will be
grandfathered in so they can keep them. Maintain them. Replace them if they bum down to
anything. And they would have to come through the variance. Long term we don't anticipate
that Chanhassen will remain an agricultural community. So we're requiring that, we added the
A2, which is the Agricultural Estate, the RR which is Rural Residential and the Residential Low
and Medium Density Districts to this standard.
Papke: Now is this for an individual accessory structure? What if I build 2 or 3 of them?
Generous: They're cumulative so you wouldn't be able to go over.
Papke: Is that clear from the way this is written here? Because this reads the accessory
structures shall not exceed. I could ostensibly read that to say that, well each of the individual
structure.
Generous: I should say it's been interpreted that it's a cumulative. We'll now we can be specific
that.
Papke: I think that would be good.
Keefe: I agree.
Generous: ... total accessory structure shall not be more than.
McDonald: Or you could just say the cumulative square feet shall not exceed 1,000 square feet.
Generous: Or cumulative square feet shall not exceed 1,000 square feet.
Larson: 1,000 or 2,000?
Generous: 1,000. So we wouldn't change the, that's the way we've been interpreting this. And
the other stuff is just... Section 20-1024. We permit barbed wire in agricultural districts and not
the electric fences for keeping their cattle on the property so we wanted to put that in. We have
some in the community.
Papke: But would this include like equestrian lots? Rural residential, RR type lots. Would this
prohibit?
Generous: If they're in the RR district, not it's only in the A2. Agricultural. RR is considered
residential.
21
Papke: Yeah, it's rural residential so I'm just clarifying. So just to make sure I understand so that
the equestrian places down along Pioneer Trail or 98th, down there, any of those, I think there's a
couple of those that have electric fences. Would they be grandfathered in?
Generous: The existing ones would be grandfathered.
Keefe: Well didn't this come up on the Arboretum property on the north side. They have a fence
on the north side to separate them from Westwood and.
Generous: Yes, it's existing.
Keefe: Is this part of where this came out of or?
Generous: It was for, we were looking at existing farmsteads that once had cattle. Our
ordinance actually doesn't address...
Papke: You don't need to answer it now. If you can just follow up on it later, Ijust wanted to
make sure I understood what the spirit was.
Generous: The next item, the fa~ade transparency issue that came out of the Heartland building
when we were talking about should we not require. . . so this is what we drafted up for it. I put a
lot of information in there.
Papke: Yeah, it's pretty tough to pass through that. I mean what are we really saying here?
Generous: What we're saying then is if you have a building that was approved and built prior to
September 24,2001 that you have some relief from this standard, as long as you at a minimum
maintain the architectural detailing that was approved as a part of that. So if you have...
windows and signage and things like that, as long as you keep that, you could reduce the 50%
requirement. We would always encourage people to provide as many windows as they could...
Additionally the second part, so that's where existing.
McDonald: Before you go on. Does that get to the issue that we raised earlier about the
variances we've been issuing on these buildings about the 50%?
Generous: It wouldn't do it for the new, for that one that just came in because that was...
because they were showing...it was due to site constraints in that case.
Papke: But it would have addressed the Heartland?
Generous: It would address the Heartland because they did, they matched... That's partially
what the second paragraph deals with. It's due to the function of the building or the interior of
the building that it's possible, or it's not really... that windows would be appropriate, then we'd
reduce it.
22
Papke: Bob, the way this is written, it almost seems to infer that all this applies only to buildings
you know put in before September 24,2001. Do you only intend that the first paragraph applies
to that and then paragraphs 2 and 3 apply to new construction?
Generous: Right.
Papke: You might want to make that more explicit because as I was reading this, that didn't pop
out at all in my brain. I thought the whole thing was just for grandfathering.
Generous: No, the intent was to make it separate. This part would apply to the existing
buildings and again we tried to point out, whether the real windows work, while a freezer in a
convenience store, you wouldn't want to put a glass window in...so those are architectural things
that we would require them to do on a regular window. Right now those are technically
prohibited. Would need a variance. So we can get all the architectural detailing that we want
and that's, the third paragraph that's all that deals with architectural features that you can
incorporate in a building to help make up for the lack of actual windows and doors. So when a
freezer is.. .Kwik Trip, that's all they have is a freezer and a window. Plus they didn't have the
same standards at the time that you know it could happen again. Mechanical room...
McDonald: To follow up on what Commissioner Papke brought up. I am also confused in
reading that because we're talking about for buildings that were built prior to September 24,
2001. We have these standards but they're already built so I'm confused, why are we doing that?
There's nothing that says at a date going forward this is the new stuff. And I think your intent is
yeah, we're trying to address issues that have come up in the past and going forward we're trying
to give people a little bit more leeway or freedom or you know, ways to design things, if I'm
hearing you. I'm not sure this is what that says.
Generous: If they can yes. And if they can't meet the standard because of the actual function of
the building.
McDonald: Okay.
Generous: And that's what I was trying to get at through this.
McDonald: I again look at it, I mean Mark is a developer. What would you think about this kind
of wording? Is this confusing as far as going forward? You know do we need to go into a little
bit more detail?
Undestad: I mean I kind of understand it.
McDonald: I mean I'm not a developer and I'm not you know someone but just reading this, I
would agree on, I'm not sure that going forward, what's the purpose of putting in 2001? That's
where I get confused and I see nothing that says going forward you know from April, 2007 these
new standards would apply to any new buildings?
23
Generous: Would it be clear if that paragraph went up as part of the first paragraph? 50%
transparency. Where we said this is the standard. But where you can't do it because of these
circumstances.
Papke: I think he just stated you know, get somebody else to take a look at these and you know,
when it's not 10:00 at night.
McDonald: Yeah, I agree. You need to look at it because we're confused and I guess our
concern is would someone else be confused about this and yeah, we would like some clarity. We
understand what you want but we're not sure we're reading that. We agree with your intent, it's
just.
Generous: Yeah, we can even hold that back and... I think I've got the gist, you want...and like
I said, the last paragraph just provides some direction I think for architectural detailing. It would
be acceptable alternatives and ordinance. Then Section 20-1265. This is one that came up. We
had some interior windows, signage open. Signs that were flashing and we got people to turn
them off and we just wanted to put language in our ordinance that was very specific that you
couldn't do that...
Keefe: Excessively bright is kind of non-specific.
Generous: And I was going back and forth on that. That's from existing language on the
nuisance section and I don't know how you do the standard. Definitely if the flashing and
blinking, everyone can agree on that. Excessively bright, that's more subjective and we did it
with the mattress building because technically there's no standard but we said that's really a
nuisance. It's too bright and we were able to get them to turn down the voltage on the signage
and reduce the glow in the night to that.
Larson: Does this only apply to commercial?
Generous: Window size.
Larson: W ell lights in general. I have a neighbor that's got like, down the stairs and down this
way, it looks like an airport. Is that?
Generous: Yeah, then you get into the nuisance. There's a specific ordinance...
Larson: Oh I would never say anything but it's just sort of like...
Generous: The intent was to address commercial. The next amendment is Section 20-1452.
This is pointed out by, when we amended our ordinance we deleted the heading that those were
implied and so this clarifies that and this is where it applies. And then Section 20-1513 came out
of the tower discussion. What happens if you're close to a residential neighborhood and we tried
to come up with numbers. How close would you want to be if their equipment to be in a
building as opposed to on a platform and so we came up with this standard there. If you're
within 150 feet of an actual building, then it would have to be in a building. And that's it. And
24
the attachment is actually the ordinance... We recommend that that be adopted and if you want
me to just, we can delete that one section that deals with fac;ade transparency, we can handle that
separately or table the whole thing...
McDonald: Are you in favor of tabling it and having him bring it back when we can have a
better opportunity to go through it, yeah.
Papke: Yeah. That way we can just.
Generous: People might add extra things but...then they say oh, by the way.
Larson: Don't tell anyone.
McDonald: Well I take it that the commissioners, as we went through, we kind of questioned.
No one has any additional questions on this. This is a public meeting so at that point I would
open this up to the public and anyone that wanted to come forward and make comment on any of
this, please do so and again step to the podium. State your name and address to commissioners.
Debbie Lloyd: Was this a public hearing on this?
McDonald: Yes.
Debbie Lloyd: You're kidding?
McDonald: No.
Debbie Lloyd: There was not an adequate notice on this because these, Debbie Lloyd, 7302
Laredo Drive. I contend there was not adequate notice on these changes because I got forward
Bluff Creek Boulevard. Was this in your packet for tonight?
McDonald: Yes.
Generous: It was noticed in the paper too. It didn't specify the sections. It just noticed that
amendments to Chapter 20.
Debbie Lloyd: And this deal about the setback from the Highway 5.
Generous: Oh yes.
Debbie Lloyd: When did all this happen?
Generous: Well we were, initially we were going to do it last time but I didn't get the notice to
the paper in time to have the 10 day notice prior to the hearing.
Dillon: So what's the issue?
25
Debbie Lloyd: Bob knows that I've been harping on a couple of these things so I'm really
surprised to see it here tonight because I haven't you know.
Dillon: Well do we know what you're harping about?
Debbie Lloyd: Bob does. The City does.
Keefe: Well if there's adequate notice I mean which is what you were questioning right?
Debbie Lloyd: Yeah.
McDonald: If the issue is notice.
Debbie Lloyd: I guess I do want to do a little research on the history of one of these and that's
what I want to do.
McDonald: Then at that point you have opportunity at the City Council.
Debbie Lloyd: I'm sorry.
McDonald: At that point then you would have an opportunity at the City Council.
Debbie Lloyd: Correct. I know the procedure, thank you.
McDonald: Okay. Does anyone else wish to come up to make comment? Seeing no one else
step forward, we'll close the public meeting. I'll bring it back for the commissioners for any
discussion and debate. Dan? Mark? Debbie? Kathleen? Kevin?
Dillon: No comments.
McDonald: Kurt? Then I would be willing to accept a motion from the commissioners. I guess
the motion is to accept.
Papke: Go ahead.
Keefe: The Chanhassen Planning Commission recommends the City Council adopt the attached
ordinance amending Chapter 20 of the Chanhassen City Code with I guess an amendment to
table the proposed change for Section 20-1068. I believe that was the one right?
McDonald: Do we have a second?
Larson: Second.
McDonald: Okay.
26
Keefe moved, Larson seconded that the Chanhassen Planning Commission recommend
that the City Council adopt the attached ordinance amending Chapter 20 of the
Chanhassen City Code, and table Section 20-1068. All voted in favor and the motion
carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to O.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Papke noted the summary minutes of the
Planning Commission meeting dated April 17, 2007.
Chairman McDonald adjourned the Planning Commission meeting at 9:40 p.m..
Submitted by Kate Aanenson
Community Development Director
Prepared by Nann Opheim
27
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Administration
Phone: 952.227.1100
Fax: 952.227.1110
Building Inspections
Phone: 952.227.1180
Fax: 952.227.1190
Engineering
Phone: 952.227.1160
Fax: 952.227.1170
Finance
Phone: 952.227.1140
Fax: 952.227.1110
Park & Recreation
Phone: 952.227.1120
Fax: 952.227.1110
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone: 952.227.1400
Fax: 952.227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Phone: 952.227.1130
Fax: 952.227.1110
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Phone: 952.227.1300
Fax: 952.227.1310
Senior Center
Phone: 952.227.1125
Fax: 952.227.1110
Web Site
www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Planning Commission
FROM:
Bob Generous, Senior Planner
DATE:
May 15,2007
SUBJ:
Potential Zoning Ordinance Amendments
Chapter 20 of the Chanhassen City Code
The Planning Commission has review responsibility for Chapter 20. A public
hearing is required to make changes in these chapters. We are requesting that the
Planning Commission review the proposed revisions to Chapter 20 and
recommend an ordinance amendment incorporating the changes.
Staff has prepared a strike-through (delete) and bold (add) format to review the
proposed changes.
ISSUE: Since the last City Code update, the city has added Bluff Creek
Boulevard as a collector road within the 2005 MUSA. However, the code does
not recognize this roadway as a collector road.
Sec. 20-5. Identification of arterial and collector streets.
For purposes of this chapter, the following are identified as arterial and collector
streets:
Arterial Streets:
County Road 14 (Pioneer Trail)
County Road 17 (Powers Boulevard)
County Road 17 (Audubon Road south of Lyman Boulevard)
County Road 18 (Lyman Boulevard, west of Trunk Highway 101)
County Road 19 (Galpin Boulevard south ofT.H. 5)
Trunk Highway 5
Trunk Highway 7
Trunk Highway 41
Trunk Highway 10 1
Trunk Highway 169
Trunk Highway 212
Collector Streets:
Audubon Road (north of Lyman Boulevard)
Bluff Creek Boulevard
Bluff Creek Drive
Century Boulevard (from West 78th St. to 82nd St.)
Coulter Boulevard
County Road 117 (Galpin Boulevard north ofT.H. 5)
Dell Road (south of Trunk Highway 5)
The City of Chanhassen · A growing community with clean lakes, quality schools, a charming downtown, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautiful parks. A great place to live, work, and play.
Planning Commission
May 15,2007
Page 2 of 12
Kerber Boulevard
Lake Drive
Lake Drive East
Lake Drive West
Lake Lucy Road
Longacres Drive
Lyman Boulevard (east of Trunk Highway 101)
Market Boulevard
Minnewashta Parkway
Pleasant View Road
West 78th Street
PROPOSED CHANGE: Add Bluff Creek Boulevard within the list of designated collector
roadways.
ISSUE: The language is inconsistent between golf courses and golf driving ranges and Chapter
10 dealing with liquor licenses.
Sec. 20-258. Golf course.
(1) Hours of operation shall be from sunrise to sunset.
(2) Soil must be tested to determine fertilizing requirements. If necessary, the
applicant/owner/lessee shall use slow release fertilizers applied at low rates or only as needed,
use natural organic fertilizers whenever possible. The use of fertilizers shall be prohibited within
the floodplain. Only phosphorous free fertilizers shall be used.
(3) The applicant/owner/lessee shall apply pesticides only when needed. Use products that are
most effective, target specific, and present the least hazards to people, wildlife, and the
environment.
(4) The applicant/owner/lessee shall apply for and obtain permits from the appropriate
regulatory agencies, i.e. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Department of Health,
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Army Corps of Engineers and Minnesota
Department of Transportation and comply with their conditions of approval.
(5) Annual reports of fertilizer use shall be provided to the city.
(6) A clubhouse may be permitted on the site. The clubhouse must be shown on the site plan
and must comply with all building and zoning requirements.
(7) A retail pro shop is permitted within the clubhouse. Retail operations shall not occupy more
than 20 percent of one floor. A 3.2 malt liquor license is allowed provided the applicant
applies and receives approval of a liquor license in accordance with City Code. Retail sales
are limited to food, beverages, and golf related items.
(8) All maintenance and other equipment must be kept in a screened storage area.
(9) The golf course must be accessed from a collector or arterial roadway.
(10) The site design shall minimize golf ball hazards.
(11) Hours of maintenance operation shall be limited to sunrise to sunset.
(12) No outside speaker systems shall be allowed without approval from the city council.
(13) A water consumption and use study must be submitted to the city for review.
Sec. 20-259. Golf driving ranges.
The following applies to golf driving ranges with or without a miniature golf course:
Planning Commission
May 15, 2007
Page 3 of 12
(1) The location ofthe driving range is limited to being adjacent to TH 5 and TH 212 and
access must be from a collector or arterial which leads to TH 5 or TH 212.
(2) Hours of operation shall be from sunrise to sunset.
(3) Provision of adequate parking areas and submission oflandscaping plan shall be in
conformance with article VIII of this chapter.
(4) No site shall be located within 500 feet of a single-family residence.
(5) Buildings on the site may not exceed 800 square feet and shall be painted in earth tones.
(6) A retail pro shop is permitted. Only prepackaged food may be sold with no commercial
cooking appliance allowed. A 3.2 malt liquor license is allowed provided the applicant applies
and receives approval of a liquor license in accordance with City Code. Retail sales are limited
to golf related items and the pro shop.
PROPOSED CHANGE: Amend section 20-258 (7) to incorporate the malt liquor provision as
specified in section 20-259 (6) consistent with the licensing standards of Chapter 10.
ISSUE: Incorrect citation for landscaping requirements adjacent to off-street parking areas.
Sections 20-1191 and 20-1192 do not exist.
"BN" NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT
Section 20-695 (6)
Off-street parking shall comply with district setback requirements except:
a. There is no minimum setback when it abuts a railroad right-of-way, except as provided in
Chapter 20, Article XXV, Division 3 sections 20 1191 and 20 1192 pertaining to
landscaping requirements.
b. There is no minimum setback when it abuts, without being separated by a street, another
off-street parking area.
c. The minimum setback is 50 feet when it abuts a residential district without being
separated from the residential district by a street or railroad right-of-way.
d. The minimum setback is 25 feet for side street side yards.
e. Parking setbacks along public rights-of-way may be reduced to a minimum of ten feet if
the applicant can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the city that one-hundred-percent
screening is provided at least five feet above the adjacent parking lot. The intent of this
section is that the city is willing to trade a reduced setback for additional landscaping that
is both an effective screen and of high quality aesthetically. Acceptable screening is to be
comprised ofberming and landscaping. Screening through the use of fencing is not
permitted.
"BH" HIGHWAY AND BUSINESS SERVICES DISTRICT
Section 20-715 (6)
Off-street parking shall comply with district setback requirements except:
Planning Commission
May 15,2007
Page 4 of 12
a. There is no minimum setback when it abuts a railroad right-of-way, except as provided in
Chapter 20, Article XXV, Division 3 sections 20 1191 and 20 1192 pertaining to
landscaping requirements.
b. There is no minimum setback when it abuts, without being separated by a street, another
off-street parking area.
c. The minimum setback is 50 feet when it abuts a residential district without being
separated from the residential district by a street or railroad right-of-way.
d. The minimum setback is 25 feet for side street side yards.
e. Parking setbacks along public rights-of-way may be reduced to a minimum of ten feet if
the applicant can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the city that one-hundred-percent
screening is provided at least five feet above the adjacent parking lot. The intent ofthis
section is that the city is willing to trade a reduced setback for additional landscaping that
is both an effective screen and of high quality aesthetically. Acceptable screening is to be
comprised ofberming and landscaping. Screening through the use of fencing is not
permitted.
"BG" GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
Section 20-755 (5)
Off-street parking shall comply with district setback requirements except:
a. There is no minimum setback when it abuts a railroad right-of-way, except as provided in
Chapter 20, Article XXV, Division 3 sections 20 1191 and 20 1192 pertaining to
landscaping requirements.
b. There is no minimum setback when it abuts, without being separated by a street, another
off-street parking area.
c. The minimum setback is 50 feet when it abuts a residential district without being
separated from the residential district by a street or railroad right-of-way.
d. The minimum setback is 25 feet for side street side yards.
e. Parking setbacks along public rights-of-way may be reduced to a minimum of ten feet if
the applicant can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the city that one-hundred-percent
screening is provided at least five feet above the adjacent parking lot. The intent of this
section is that the city is willing to trade a reduced setback for additional landscaping that
is both an effective screen and of high quality aesthetically. Acceptable screening is to be
comprised ofberming and landscaping. Screening through the use of fencing is not
permitted.
"BF" FRINGE BUSINESS DISTRICT
Section 20-774 (5)
Off-street parking shall comply with district setback requirements except:
Off-street parking shall comply with district setback requirements except:
Planning Commission
May 15,2007
Page 5 of 12
a. There is no minimum setback when it abuts a railroad right-of-way, except as provided in
Chapter 20, Article XXV, Division 3 sections 20 1191 and 20 1192 pertaining to
landscaping requirements.
b. There is no minimum setback when it abuts, without being separated by a street, another
off-street parking area.
c. The minimum setback is 50 feet when it abuts a residential district without being
separated from the residential district by a street or railroad right-of-way.
d. The minimum setback is 25 feet for side street side yards.
e. Parking setbacks along public rights-of-way may be reduced to a minimum of ten feet if
the applicant can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the city that one-hundred-percent
screening is provided at least five feet above the adjacent parking lot. The intent of this
section is that the city is willing to trade a reduced setback for additional landscaping that
is both an effective screen and of high quality aesthetically. Acceptable screening is to be
comprised ofbenning and landscaping. Screening through the use of fencing is not
pennitted.
'or OFFICE AND INSTITUTIONAL DISTRICT
Section 20-795 (5)
Off-street parking shall comply with district setback requirements except:
a. There is no minimum setback when it abuts a railroad right-of-way, except as provided in
Chapter 20, Article XXV, Division 3 seotions 20 1191 and 20 1192 pertaining to
landscaping requirements.
b. There is no minimum setback when it abuts, without being separated by a street, another
off-street parking area.
c. The minimum setback is 50 feet when it abuts a residential district without being
separated from the residential district by a street or railroad right-of-way.
d. The minimum setback is 25 feet for side street side yards.
e. Parking setbacks along public rights-of-way may be reduced to a minimum of ten feet if
the applicant can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the city that one-hundred-percent
screening is provided at least five feet above the adjacent parking lot. The intent ofthis
section is that the city is willing to trade a reduced setback for additional landscaping that
is both an effective screen and of high quality aesthetically. Acceptable screening is to be
comprised ofbenning and landscaping. Screening through the use of fencing is not
pennitted.
"lOP" INDUSTRIAL OFFICE PARK. DISTRICT
Section 20-815 (5)
Off-street parking shall comply with district setback requirements except:
a. There is no minimum setback when it abuts a railroad right-of-way, except as provided in
Chapter 20, Article XXV, Division 3 sections 20 1191 and 20 1192 pertaining to
landscaping requirements.
Planning Commission
May 15, 2007
Page 6 of 12
b. There is no minimum setback when it abuts, without being separated by a street, another
off-street parking area.
c. The minimum setback is 50 feet when it abuts a residential district without being
separated from the residential district by a street or railroad right-of-way.
d. The minimum setback is 25 feet for side street side yards.
e. Parking setbacks along public rights-of-way may be reduced to a minimum of ten feet if
the applicant can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the city that one-hundred-percent
screening is provided at least five feet above the adjacent parking lot. The intent ofthis
section is that the city is willing to trade a reduced setback for additional landscaping that
is both an effective screen and of high quality aesthetically. Acceptable screening is to be
comprised ofberming and landscaping. Screening through the use of fencing is not
permitted.
PROPOSED CHANGE: Amend Sections 20-695 (6) (a), 20-715 (6) (a), 20-755 (5) (a),
Section 20-774 (5) (a), 20-795 (5) (a) and 20-815 (5) (a) to incorporate the correct citation.
ISSUE: City code limits the size of accessory structures for properties zoned RSF and R4, but
not in the RLM district nor in the A2 and RR zoning districts since they were at one time related
to agricultural uses. The City's comprehensive plan does not provide for a purely agricultural
land use, but supports the preservation of this use in greater Carver County. As the City
continues to grow, agricultural uses are being replaced by estate homes. What continues to
happen is that contractors purchase the property, build accessory structures to house their
businesses, then the City is stuck enforcing the home occupation code, which prohibits the use of
accessory structures for home occupations.
In order to address this issue, staff is proposing including all districts, which permit single-family
homes, within the accessory structure size limitation. While this will create non-conforming
structures on A2 and RR, these non-conformities would be permitted to stay and be maintained,
but not enlarged. For legitimate agricultural uses, this should not affect their continued
operation.
Sec. 20-904. Accessory structures.
(a) A detached accessory structure, except a dock, shall be located in the buildable lot area or
required rear yard. No accessory use or structure in any residential district shall be located in
any required front, side or rear setback with the following exceptions:
(1) In the A2, RR, RSF, RLM and R4 Districts accessory structures shall not exceed 1,000
square feet. In the RSF, RLM and R4 districts t+hese structures may encroach into the
rear setback as follows:
a. Less than 140 square feet, minimum rear setback is five feet.
b. One hundred forty-one to 399 square feet, minimum rear setback is ten feet.
c. 400 square feet and above, minimum rear setback is 30 feet, except in the RLM
district where the minimum rear setback is 25 feet.
(2) On riparian lots, detached garages and storage buildings may be located in the front or
rear yard but must comply with front, side and applicable ordinary high water mark
setbacks and may not occupy more than 30 percent of the yard in which it is built.
Planning Commission
May 15, 2007
Page 7 of 12
(3) Tennis courts and swimming pools may be located in rear yards with a minimum side and
rear yard setback of ten feet, but must comply with applicable ordinary high water mark
setbacks.
(b) A detached accessory structure may occupy not more than 30 percent of the area of any rear
yard.
(c) For parcels with less than three acres in any residential or agricultural district, no accessory
structure or use shall be erected, constructed, or commenced prior to the erection,
construction, or commencement of the principal permitted structure or use, but may be
erected or commenced simultaneously. If the principal structure or use is subsequently
removed, destroyed, or discontinued, the accessory structure or use must be removed or
discontinued within 12 months.
PROPOSED CHANGE: Staff recommends that section 20-904 (a) (1) be amended to add the
RLM, A2 and RR districts to limitation on accessory structure sizes.
ISSUE: Electric fences are not currently regulated.
Sec. 20-1024. Barbed wire and electric fences.
Barbed wire and electric fences are prohibited in all residential districts. Barbed wire and
electric fences are permitted in agricultural districts.
PROPOSED CHANGE: Amend section 20-1024 to add electric fences.
ISSUE: }...s part of the expansion of existing buildings and with the construction of office
warehouse buildings, the city has encountered difficulties and granted variances from the faQade
transparency requirements of section 20 1068. Staff has prepared exceptions for structures built
prior to adoption of the design standards, where the building's use or function precludes the use
of windov:s in certain areas or on properties vrith multiple street frontages.
For buildings that were built prior to adoption ofthe ordinance, the city will encourage the use of
transparent windo':/s or doors, but would permit a relaxation of the requirement if they are at a
minimum maintaining the existing patterns and details ofthe existing building architecture. For
buildings '.vith a use or function that does not readily allo'll 'l.'indows, e.g., freezer areas in stores
or warehouse or manufacturing spa"'e in industrial buildings, we could relax the standards by not
requiring the windows at the lower level, permitting the use of spandrel glass or architectural
detailing which proyides patterning and shadowing that pro~lides aesthetic interest.
}~reades a series of arches supported on piers or columns.
Basses a projecting masonry or rook f-eamre or ornament in a wall.
Buttresses a projecting support built into or against the outside of a masonry wall.
Clerestories a portion ofthe wall rising above the adjacent rooftops and having windows.
Colonnades a series of regularly spaced columns usually supporting one side of a roof
structure.
Planning Commission
May 15, 2007
Page 8 of 12
Corbeling an o'..erlapping arrangement of bricks or stones in which each course steps up'.vard
and outward from the vertical face of a wall.
Embrasures a small or narrow opening in a 'lIall.
Fenestration the design, proportioning and disposition of windows and other exterior openings
of a building.
Loggias a colonnaded or arcaded space within the body of a building but open on one side,
often at an upper story.
Lunettes an area in a plane of a 'lIall framed by an arch or vault which may oontain a windo'N.
Pilasters a shallow rectangular feature projecting from a Viall, having a oapital and base and
architeoturally treated as a column.
Portals a doorway, gate or entrance, emphasized by size and architeotural treatment.
Quoins an exterior angle of a masonry wall, or one of the stones or bricks forming such an
angle, usually differentiated from adjoining surfaces by material, texture, color, size or
projection.
See. 20 1068. Facade transpareney.
Fifty percent of the first floor faoade that is viewed by the publio shall be designed to include
transparent windows and/or doors to minimize expanses of blank walls. (Reflecti'.'e glass is not
permitted.) If the building is a one story design and the first floor elevation exceeds 12 feet, then
only the first 12 feet in building height shall be inoluded in oalculating the faoade area.
The remaining 50 percent of the first floor facade that is viev/ed by the public shall be designed
to include any or all of the f-allowing:
. Landscape materials (plant material, yertioal trellis with vines, planter boxes, etc.)
. .^..rchitectural detailing and articulation that provides texture on the faoade and/or parking
structure openings.
For buildings that were built prior to September 24, 2001, the city will eneourage the use of
transparent wiBdows or doors as part of any building expansion. HO'lveyer provided the
Planning Commission
May 15, 2007
Page 9 of 12
expansion, at a minimum, maintains the existing patterns and details of the existing
building arehiteeture, the proposed expansion would not be required to meet the SO pereent
transparency requirement.
Far buildings with a use or function that does not readily allow windo'\"I's, e.g., freezer areas,
meehanical roams, security areas, storage areas or warehouse or manufaeturing spaee in
commereial or industrial buildings, the fenestration standards may be redueed. 1I0weyer,
the arehiteeture detailing must be proyided by the use of upper level ...:indows, the use of
spandrel glass or arehitectural detailing whieh provides arehes, patterning, reeesses and
shadowing that provide aesthetic interest.
Architectural detailing may inelude such things as ehange in materials, ehange in eolor,
and ather signifieant yisual relief provided in a manner or at interyals in Ireeping with the
size, mass, and seale of the waD. }",rehiteetural detailing may inelude areades, arehes,
bosses, buttresses, elerestories, eolonnades, eolumns, eorbeling, loggias, pilasters, portals,
quoins, silos, tiling and towers. Additional arehiteetural elements may inelude the use of
awnings, eanopies, embrasures, lunettes, plant boxes, reeesses and shutters.
PROPOSED CHANCE: }Jllend section 20 1068 to incorporate exceptions to the fac;ade
transparency requirement.
ISSUE: Flashing or blinking signs visible in windows have been used to attract attention to
businesses. The use of such signage could circumvent the motion signage requirements in the
ordinance. Staff is proposing that such signage be specifically addressed as part of the window
signage requirements.
Sec. 20-1265. General location restrictions.
(a) No sign or sign structure shall be closer than ten feet to any lot line. Signs shall not be
located in the sight distance triangle of any private driveway or access. Signs shall not be
located in any sight distance triangle of a public intersection.
(b) Signs on nonresidential property which are immediately adjacent to residential uses or
districts shall be positioned so that the copy is not visible along adjoining side and rear yard
property lines.
(c) No sign, other than governmental signs, shall be erected or placed upon any public street,
right-of-way, or project over public property unless approved by the city and contingent upon
an approved encroachment agreement. Temporary signs may not be erected or placed in a
public easement unless approved by the city. No sign shall be placed within any drainage or
utility easement without an approved encroachment agreement.
(d) Signs shall not create a hazard to the safe, efficient movement of vehicular or pedestrian
traffic. No private sign shall contain words which might be construed as traffic controls, such
as "Stop," "Caution," "Warning," unless the sign, is intended to direct traffic on the premises.
(e) No signs, guys, stays or attachments shall be erected, placed or maintained on rocks, fences
or trees nor, interfere with any electric light, power, telephone or telegraph wires or the
supports thereof.
(t) No sign or sign structure shall be erected or maintained that prevents free ingress or egress
from any door, window or fire escape. No sign or sign structure shall be attached to a
standpipe or fire escape.
Planning Commission
May 15, 2007
Page 10 of 12
(g) Window signs shall not cover more than 50 percent of the total window area in which they
are located. The area of a window sign shall be interpreted as the total window area for that
face of the building. In no case shall the total window sign area exceed the permitted wall
sign area defined in this ordinance for said district. Buildings with less than 32 square feet of
window area are exempt from this provision. Signage visible through windows shall not
blink, flash, scroll or have anything but constant illumination, when illuminated, nor be
excessively bright.
PROPOSED CHANGE: Amend section 20-1265 (g) to address illuminated signage visible
through windows.
ISSUE: The additional setback requirements were originally adopted to apply to development
west of the existing downtown. This was due to the fact that the majority of the area east of
Powers Boulevard had already been developed under the existing zoning standards, but the area
west of Powers Boulevard was mostly undeveloped in 1994. Over time, the design standards
included in the Highway Corridor District were incorporated into the Design Standards for
Commercial, Industrial and Office-Institutional Developments of Chapter 20, Article XXIII,
Division 7 of the Chanhassen City Code. In deleting these standards, the clarification as to
where the additional setback standards applied was deleted.
The original language is shown below (from Ordinance Number 212, approved July 11, 1994):
DIVISION 2. HC-2 DISTRICT
Sec. 20-1460.
Purpose and Intent.
The purpose and intent ofthe HC-2 district is the same as the HC-l district with certain
modifications to the district standards reflecting that the area within the HC-2 district is not part
of the City's central business district.
Sec. 20-1461.
District Application.
The "HC-l" district shall be applied to and super imposed (overlaid) upon all zoning
districts as contained herein as existing or amended by the text and map of this ordinance. The
regulations and requirements imposed by the "HC-l " district shall be in addition to these
established for districts which jointly apply. Under the joint application of districts, the more
restrictive requirements shall apply.
Sec. 20-1462.
Building and Parking Orientation.
The building and parking orientation standards for the HC-l district shall apply, together
with the following additional requirements:
(a) On building lots that abut Highway 5 directly, the minimum building setback from
the highway right-of-way shall be seventy (70) feet. The maximum building setback from the
highway right-of-way for all buildings except single family residences shall be one hundred fifty
(150) feet. No maximum building setback shall apply to single family residences.
Planning Commission
May 15, 2007
Page 11 of 12
(b) On building lots that abut either of the access boulevards parallel to Highway 5, the
minimum building setback from the boulevard right-of-way shall be fifty (50) feet. The
maximum building setback from the boulevard right-of-way shall be one hundred (100) feet.
Staff is proposing the following revision:
20-1462. Building and parking orientation.
(a) On building lots within the HC-2 district that abut Highway 5 directly, the minimum
building setback from the highway right-of-way shall be 70 feet. The maximum building
setback from the highway right-of-way for all buildings except single-family residences shall
be 150 feet. No maximum building setback shall apply to single-family residences.
(b) On building lots within the HC-2 district that abut either of the access boulevards parallel to
Highway 5, the minimum building setback from the boulevard right-of-way shall be 50 feet.
The maximum building setback from the boulevard right-of-way shall be 100 feet.
Ord. No. 212, ~ 8, 7-11-94; Ord. No. 377, ~ 151,5-24-04)
PROPOSED CHANGE: Amend section 20-1462 to include the clarification on where the
additional setback requirements apply.
ISSUE: Currently there are no standards regarding enclosing accessory utility buildings for
telecommunication towers. Staff is recommending that equipment adjacent to residential
properties should be within a building.
Sec. 20-1513. Accessory utility buildings.
Telecommunication equipment accessory to a tower shall be located within a building if
such equipment is within 150 feet of the closest point of a residential building. All utility
buildings and structures accessory to a tower may not exceed one story in height and 400 square
feet in size, and shall be architecturally designed to blend in with the surrounding environment
and meet the minimum setback requirements ofthe underlying zoning district. The use of
compatible materials, such as wood, brick, or stucco, is required for associated support buildings.
Equipment located on the roof of an existing building shall be screened from the public view
with building materials identical to or compatible to [ with] existing materials. In no case shall
wooden fencing be used as a rooftop equipment screen.
PROPOSED CHANGE: Amend section 20-1513 to incorporate the use of buildings to house
equipment within 150 of a residential structure.
Planning Commission
May 15,2007
Page 12 of 12
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt the following motion:
"The Chanhassen Planning Commission recommends that the City Council adopt the attached
ordinance amending Chapter 20 of the Chanhassen City Code."
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance Amending Chapter 20, Zoning.
g:\plan\bg\city code\pc memo may 2007 revisions.doc
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 20
CHANHASSEN CITY CODE,
ZONING
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA ORDAINS:
Section 1. Section 20-5 of the City Code, City of Chanhassen, Minnesota, is hereby amended by
adding the following to the list of Collector Streets:
Bluff Creek Boulevard
Section 2. Section 20-258 (7) of the City Code, City of Chanhassen, Minnesota, is hereby
amended to read as follows:
A retail pro shop is permitted within the clubhouse. Retail operations shall not occupy more than
20 percent of one floor. A 3.2 malt liquor license is allowed provided the applicant applies and
receives approval of a liquor license in accordance with City Code. Retail sales are limited to
food, beverages, and golf related items.
Section 3. Section 20-695 (6) a. of the City Code, City of Chanhassen, Minnesota, is hereby
amended to read as follows:
There is no minimum setback when it abuts a railroad right-of-way, except as provided in
Chapter 20, Article XXV, Division 3 pertaining to landscaping requirements.
Section 4. Section 20-715 (6) a. of the City Code, City ofChanhassen, Minnesota, is hereby
amended to read as follows:
There is no minimum setback when it abuts a railroad right-of-way, except as provided in
Chapter 20, Article XXV, Division 3 pertaining to landscaping requirements.
Section 5. Section 20-755 (5) a. of the City Code, City of Chanhassen, Minnesota, is hereby
amended to read as follows:
There is no minimum setback when it abuts a railroad right-of-way, except as provided in
Chapter 20, Article XXV, Division 3 pertaining to landscaping requirements.
Section 6. Section 20-774 (5) a. of the City Code, City of Chanhassen, Minnesota, is hereby
amended to read as follows:
There is no minimum setback when it abuts a railroad right-of-way, except as provided in
Chapter 20, Article XXV, Division 3 pertaining to landscaping requirements.
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Section 7. Section 20-795 (5) of the City Code, City of Chanhassen, Minnesota, is hereby
amended to read as follows:
There is no minimum setback when it abuts a railroad right-of-way, except as provided in
Chapter 20, Article XXV, Division 3 pertaining to landscaping requirements.
Section 8. Section 20-815 (5) a. of the City Code, City of Chanhassen, Minnesota, is hereby
amended to read as follows:
There is no minimum setback when it abuts a railroad right-of-way, except as provided in
Chapter 20, Article XXV, Division 3 pertaining to landscaping requirements.
Section 9. Section 20-904 (a) (1) of the City Code, City of Chanhassen, Minnesota, is hereby
amended to read as follows:
In the A2, RR, RSF, RLM and R4 Districts accessory structures shall not exceed 1,000 square
feet. In the RSF, RLM and R4 districts these structures may encroach into the rear setback as
follows:
a. Less than 140 square feet, minimum rear setback is 5 feet.
b. 141 to 399 square feet, minimum rear setback is 10 feet.
c. 400 square feet and above, minimum rear setback is 30 feet, except in the RLM district
where the minimum rear setback is 25 feet.
Section 10. Section 20-1024 of the City Code, City of Chanhassen, Minnesota, is hereby
amended to read as follows:
Barbed wire and electric fences.
Barbed wire and electric fences are prohibited in all residential districts. Barbed wire and
electric fences are permitted in agricultural districts.
Section 11. Section 20-1265 (g) of the City Code, City of Chanhassen, Minnesota, is hereby
amended to read as follows:
Window signs shall not cover more than 50 percent of the total window area in which they are
located. The area of a window sign shall be interpreted as the total window area for that face of
the building. In no case shall the total window sign area exceed the permitted wall sign area
defined in this ordinance for said district. Buildings with less than 32 square feet of window area
are exempt from this provision. Signage visible through windows shall not blink, flash, scroll or
have any but constant illumination, when illuminated, nor be excessively bright.
Section 12. Section 20-1462 of the City Code, City of Chanhassen, Minnesota, is hereby
amended to read as follows:
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(a) On building lots within the HC-2 district that abut Highway 5 directly, the minimum
building setback from the highway right-of-way shall be 70 feet. The maximum building setback
from the highway right-of-way for all buildings except single-family residences shall be 150 feet.
No maximum building setback shall apply to single-family residences.
(b) On building lots within the HC-2 district that abut either of the access boulevards parallel
to Highway 5, the minimum building setback from the boulevard right-of-way shall be 50 feet.
The maximum building setback from the boulevard right-of-way shall be 100 feet.
Section 13. Section 20-1513 of the City Code, City ofChanhassen, Minnesota, is hereby
amended to read as follows:
Telecommunication equipment accessory to a tower shall be located within a building if such
equipment is within 150 feet of the closest point of a residential building. All utility buildings
and structures accessory to a tower may not exceed one story in height and 400 square feet in
size, and shall be architecturally designed to blend in with the surrounding environment and meet
the minimum setback requirements of the underlying zoning district. The use of compatible
materials, such as wood, brick, or stucco, is required for associated support buildings.
Equipment located on the roof of an existing building shall be screened from the public view
with building materials identical to or compatible to [with] existing materials. In no case shall
wooden fencing be used as a rooftop equipment screen.
Section 14. This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its passage and publication.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 29th day of May, 2007, by the City Council of the City of
Chanhassen, Minnesota
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager Thomas A. Furlong, Mayor
(Published in the Chanhassen Villager on )
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