1a. Zoning Ordinance for RSF District Standards Lot Frontage & Private Driveways Y /a.CITYOF
CHANHASSEN
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.414*? .- 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147• CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
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(612) 937-1900 • FAX (612) 937-5739
Action by Crt}i Adrtlttif
MEMORANDUM Endorsee je.--,bik Or
149odNed
TO: Don Ashworth, City Manager R eject ad
Date -7—
FROM: Paul Krauss, Planning Director Dete SUrb tted to Commi.;ia-:
DATE: March 6, 1990 hate S15-- eed to Ccurr�c
SUBJ: Zoning Ordinance Amendment Dealing with Lot Frontage and
Access by Private Driveways - Final Reading and Approval
of Summary Ordinance for Publication Purposes
On February 26, 1990, the City Council reviewed the final reading
on the ordinance dealing with lot frontage and access by private
driveways. First reading of the -ordinance was approved on
February 12, 1990. The ordinance is designed to allow the .
limited use of private driveways to serve lots where it is
inappropriate to consider constructing a public street. Design
standards and increased setback standards for these lots are pro-
vided. The ordinance also defines lot frontage requirements as
they are applied to lots fronting on cul-de-sacs or curvilinear
streets. t
4
At the February 26th meeting, several questions were raised per-
taining to the ordinance leading to the City Council ' s action to
continue the item for further study. Section 1, (0) (1) contains
a statement that "the 'prevailing development pattern makes it
infeasible or inappropriate to constructs public street" .
Councilman Boyt asked that this language be refined to make it
clear that, among other things, if a private drive exists on a
neighboring property that it does not automatically entitle the
adjoining property to have a private 'drive is eli. `Staff indi-
cated that by the "prevailing development pattern" wemeant that
the layout of lots and placement of homes relative' to public
rights-of-way and wetlands makes it :inappropriate or infeasible
to construct a public street. e have added revised language to
the ordinance to clarify this print.
x
The next item of concern came from Councilman Boyt who recom-
mended that public right-of-way be dedicated over the private
driveway to allow the construction of a public street at some
point in the future if it proves necessary. Staff raised con-
cerns with this proposal at the meeting and continues to believe
that it is inappropriate. Our reason being that if a public
Mr. Don Ashworth
March 6 , 1990
Page 2
street was thought to be feasible to service a subdivision, we
would not recommend approval of a private driveway. The only
time in which the private driveway ordinance is to be utilized
comes after a finding is made that the extension of the public
street system is not feasible to serve other parcels in the area,
improve access, or provide a street system consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan. Therefore, we are not recommending that any
changes be made with the language in this area.
The final matter concerned the maintenance of private driveways
in good and plowed condition. The City Attorney was asked
to draft language that would obligate the owners to maintain and
plow the driveway. Such language has been prepared where the
owner is obligationed to plow the driveway within 24 hours of a
snowfall greater than 2 inches. If the driveway is not plowed
within 24 hours, the city may plow the driveway and assess the
cost back to the property owner. This language has been included
in the draft.
RECOMMENDATION
Based upon the foregoing, staff recommends that the City Council
approve the final reading to the amendments for the zoning ordi-
nance dealing with neck/flag lots and lot frontage requirements
and approve the summary of this ordinance for publication pur-
poses.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Revised ordinance and summary.
2 . Staff report for February 26, 1990 packet.
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 18-57 OF THE SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE
ENTITLED STREETS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHANHASSEN ORDAINS:
Section 1. Section 18-57 of the Chanhassen Subdivision
Ordinance entitled "Streets" shall be amended as follows:
(n) Public streets to be constructed in subdivisions located
inside the year 2000 metropolitan service area line, as
identified in the city comprehensive plan shall be
constructed to urban standards as prepared by the city
engineer's office. Streets to be constructed in sub-
divisions located outside the year 2000 metropolitan
urban service area shall conform to the rural standard
requirements as prepared by the city engineer' s office.
The construction of private streets are prohibited.
( o) Up to four ( 4 ) lots may be served by a private driveway
if the City finds the following conditions to exist:
( 1) The prevailing development pattern makes it
infeasible or inappropriate to construct a public
street. In making this determination the City may
consider the location of existing property lines
and homes, local to geographic conditions and the
existence of wetlands.
( 2) After reviewing the surrounding area it is
concluded that an extension of the public street
system is not required to serve other parcels in
the area, improve access, or to provide a street
system consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
( 3) The use of a private driveway will permit enhanced
protection of wetlands and mature trees .
If the use of private driveway is to be allowed, they
shall be subject to the following standards:
( 1) Common sections of private driveways serving two
( 2) or more homes must be built to a seven (7) ton
design, paved to a width of twenty (20) feet,
utilize a maximum grade of 10%, and provide
a turnaround area acceptable to the fire marshal
based upon guidelines provided by applicable fire
codes. Plans for the driveway shall be submitted
to the city engineer. Upon completion of the
driveway, the applicant shall be required to submit
a set of "as-built" plans signed by a registered
civil engineer.
(2) Private driveways must be maintained in good
condition and plowed within twenty-four ( 24) hours
of a snowfall greater than two ( 2) inches.
Covenants concerning maintenance shall be filed
against all benefitting properties. Parking on the
driveway or otherwise blocking all or part of the
driveway shall be prohibited. If the -driveway is
not plowed within twenty-four ( 24) hours of a
snowfall greater than two (2) inches , the City may
plow the driveway and assess the cost back to the
property pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section
429.101, Subd. 1(c) .
( 3) The driveway must be provided with drainage
improvements determined to be necessary by the city
engineer.
( 4 ) Street addresses or city approved street name sign,
if required, must be posted at the point where
the private driveway intersects the public
right-of-way.
( 5) The driveway shall be designed to minimize impacts
upon adjoining parcels. The city may require
revised alignments and landscaping to minimize
impact.
( 6) The driveway must be located within a strip of
property at least thirty ( 30) feet wide extending
out to the public right-of-way or covered by a
thirty ( 30) ft. wide easement that is permanently
recorded over all benefitted and impacted parcels.
(p) Private reserve strips controlling public access to
streets shall be prohibited.
Section 2. This ordinance shall be effective immediately
upon its passage and publication.
Passed and adopted by the Chanhassen City Council this
day of , 1990.
ATTEST:
Don Ashworth, City Clerk/Manager Donald J. Chmiel, Mayor
(Published in the Chanhassen Villager on , 1990)
-2-
ORDINANCE NO.
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 20 OF THE
CHANHASSEN CITY CODE, THE ZONING ORDINANCE
DEALING WITH NECK/FLAG LOTS AND ACCESS BY
PRIVATE DRIVEWAYS
The City Council of the City of Chanhassen Ordains as
follows:
Section 1. Section 20-1, Definitions, of the Chanhassen
City Code is amended to read:
Neck lot/flag lot means a lot that does not provide the full
required frontage on a public right-of-way but rather is served
by a narrow "neck" of land that extends to the street. To meet
the definition the neck must be at least 30 feet wide.
Section 2. Article XI, RR, Rural Residential District,
Section 20-595 shall be revised as follows:
Section 20-595. Lot Requirements and setbacks.
The following minimum requirements shall be observed an the
"RR" District subject to additional requirements, exceptions and
modifications set forth in this chapter:
•
(1) The minimum lot area is two and one-half (2i ) acres, sub-
ject to Section 20-906
(2) The minimum lot frontage is two hundred (200) feet, except
that lots fronting on a cul-de-sac "bubble" or along the
outside curve of a curvilinear street section shall be two
hundred (200) feet in width at the building setback line.
The location of these lots is conceptually illustrated
below. Lot width on neck or flag lots or lots accessed by
private driveways shall also have their lot width measured
at the building setback line.
(3) The minimum lot depth is two hundred (200) feet.
(4) The maximum lot coverage is twenty (20) percent.
(5) The setbacks are as follows:
a. For front yards, fifty (50) feet.
b. For rear yards, fifty (50) feet.
c. For side yards, ten (10) feet.
(6) The setbacks for lots served by private driveways and/or
flag and neck lots, are as follows:
a. For front yards, thirty (30) feet. The front yard
shall be the lot line nearest the public right-of-way
that provides access to the parcel. The rear lot line
is to be located opposite from the front lot line with
the remaining exposures treated as side lot lines. On
neck/flag lots the front yard setback shall be
measured at the point nearest the front lot line where
the lot achieves a two hundred (200) foot width.
b. For rear yards, fifty (50) feet.
c. For side yards, fifty ( 50) feet.
(7) The maximum height is as follows:
a. For the principal structure, three (3) stories/forty
(40) feet.
b. For accessory structures, three (3) stories/forty (40) ft.
(8) The minimum driveway separate is as follows:
a. If the driveway is on a collector street, four hundred
(400) feet.
b. If the drivway is on an arterial street, one thousand
two hundred fifty (1,250) feet.
Section 3. Section 20-615 entitled Lot Requirements and
Setbacks shall be amended to read as follows:
The following minimum requirements shall be observed in an
"RSF" District subject to additional requirements, exceptions and
modifications set forth in this chapter:
(1) The minimum lot area is fifteen thousand (15,000 square
feet) . For neck or flag lots, the lot area requirements
`shall be met after the area contained within the "neck"
has been excluded from consideration.
(2) The minimum lot frontage is ninety (90) feet, except
that lots fronting on a cul-de-sac "bubble" or along the
outside curve of curvilinear street sections shall be
ninety (90) feet in width at the building setback line.
The location of this lot is conceptually illustrated below.
Lots Where Frontage Is
Measured At Setback Line
• . . •
. •
•
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(3) The minimum lot depth is one hundred twenty-five (125)
feet.
The location of these lots is conceptually illustrated below.
Lot width on neck or flag lots and lots accessed by private
driveways shall be one hundred (100) feet as measured at the
front building setback line.
(4) The maximum lot coverage for all structures and paved
surfaces is twenty-five (25) percent.
(5) The setbacks are as follows:
(a) For front yards, thirty (30) feet.
(b) For rear yards, thirty (30) feet.
(c) For side yards, ten (10) feet
(6) The setbacks for lots served by private driveways and/or
flag and neck lots, are as follows:
a. For front yard, thirty (30) feet. The front yard
shall be the lot line nearest the public right-of-way
that provides access to the parcel. The rear yard
lot line is to be located opposite from the front lot
line with the remaining exposures treated as side lot
lines. On neck lots the front yard setback shall be
measured at the point nearest the front lot line
where the lot achieves a one hundred (100) foot
-minimum width.
b. For rear yards, thirty (30) feet.
" c. For side yards, twenty (20) feet.
. Neck I Flag Lots
Fron Lot Lin •
N.Nt
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1 1 1
1 s 1 •
100 Lot Width 1 i t
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1 4.1 WWI
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(7) The maximum height is as follows:
a. For the principal structure, (three (3)
stories/forty (40) feet.
-3-
' b. For accessory structures, three ( 3) stories/forty
( 40) feet.
Section 4. This ordinance shall be effective immediately
upon its passage and publication.
Passed and adopted by the Chanhassen City Council this
day of , 1990.
ATTEST:
Don Ashworth, City Clerk/Manager Donald J. Chmiel, Mayor
(Published in the Chanhassen Villager on , 1990)
-4-
ORDINANCE NO.
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 20 OF THE CHANHASSEN CITY CODE, THE
ZONING ORDINANCE DEALING WITH NECK/FLAG LOTS AND LOT FRONTAGE
REQUIREMENTS AND CHAPTER 18, THE SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE, DEALING
WITH STREETS
On , 1990, the City Council approved the final
reading of ordinance amendments pertaining to lots accessed by
private driveways and lot frontage requirements for lots on cul-
de-sacs and curvilinear streets. The amendments will allow the
platting of up to four lots accessed by a private driveway sub-
ject to meeting a series of findings. Construction standards for
these private driveways are established to insure that adequate
levels of access are provided. The amendments also allow for the
measurement of lot width at the building setback line for lots on
cul-de-sac bubbles and along the outside curve of curvilinear
streets.
Enforcement of this ordinance shall be subject to the provi-
sions of the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances. This ordinance
is in full force commencing on the date of publication of this
summary.
Don Ashworth
City Manager
(Publish in the Chanhassen Villager on , 1990)
' CAMPBELL, KNUTSON, SCOTT & FUCHS, PA.
Attorneys at Law
Thomas J. Campbell
Roger N. Knutson (612)456-9539
Thomas M. Scott Facsimile(612)456-9542
Gary G. Fuchs
James R.Walston
Elliott B. Knetsch
Dennis J. Unger
March 1 , 1990
Mr. Paul Krauss
Chanhassen City Hall
690 Coulter Drive, Box 147
Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317
RE: Private Drive Ordinance
Dear Paul:
Although it is a bit of a stretch to reach the conclusion,
we may be able to plow private drives and assess the cost. Minn.
Stat. § 429.101 , Subd. 1 (c) , provides that the City can assess
for "removal or elimination of public health and safety hazards
from private property. . . . " If a private driveway is blocked,
emergency vehicles could be prevented from gaining access. This
would be a safety hazard.
I suggest the following language:
Private driveways must be maintained in good condition and
plowed within twenty-four (24) hours of a snowfall greater
than two (2 ) inches. Covenants concerning maintenance shall
be filed against all benefitting properties. Parking on the
driveway or otherwise blocking all or part of the driveway
shall be prohibited. If the driveway is not plowed within
twenty-four (24) hours of a snowfall greater than two (2)
inches, the City may plow the driveway and assess the cost
back to the property pursuant to Minn. Stat. Sec. 429.101 ,
Subd. 1 (c) .
Very truly yours,
PBELL, KNU ON, SCOTT
FUCHS, P
BY.
Roger N. icnu
RNK:srn
MAR 0 219 3
Yankee Square Office III • Suite 202 • 3460 Washington Drive • Eagan, MN 55122
Gint AE CHANHASSEN
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CITY OF
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` , 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
` \ (612) 937-1900 • FAX (612) 937-5739 0° �' Ctty Administrator
MEMORANDUM odd
Rejectad
D ,A TO: Don Ashworth, City Manager ff
Date Submitted to Cc issiart
FROM: Paul Krauss, Planning Director p.
Date s,th rtt_.. to Co,:r,cil
DATE: February 20, 1990 2-V0-y0
SUBJ: Zoning Ordinance Amendment Dealing with Lot Frontage and
Access by Private Driveways, Final Reading; and Approval
of Summary Ordinance for Publication Purposes
On February 12, 1990, the City Council reviewed and approved the
first reading of an ordinance pertaining to ordinance require-
ments for neck and flag lots and lot frontage requirements. The
ordinance is designed to allow the limited use of private drive-
ways to serve lots where it is inappropriate to consider
constructing a public street. The ordinance provides increased
setback and lot area requirements for these lots in recognition
of their location relative to existing lots and home sites. The
ordinance also provides well-defined standards for the construc-
tion of private driveways. The second aspect of the ordinance
amendments deals with lot frontage requirement standards as they
are applied to lots fronted on cul-de-sacs or curvilinear
streets.
During the review of this ordinance by the City Council, staff
was directed to add a requirement that will have the affect of
excluding consideration of the lot area contained in the neck or
flag portion of the lot from consideration in meeting lot area
standards. This change has been made in the final draft.
An ordinance summary is attached for your review and approval.
The ordinance summary is used to facilitate public notice while
minimizing printing costs.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the second reading
of amendments to the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances dealing
with neck/flag lots and lot frontage requirements and further
approve the summary of this ordinance.
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 18-57 OF THE SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE
ENTITLED STREETS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHANHASSEN ORDAINS:
Section 1. Section 18-57 of the Chanhassen Subdivision
Ordinance entitled "Streets" shall be amended as follows:
(n) Public streets to be constructed in subdivisions located
inside the year 2000 metropolitan service area line, as
identified in the city comprehensive plan shall be
constructed to urban standards as prepared by the city
engineer' s office. Streets to be constructed in sub-
divisions located outside the year 2000 metropolitan
urban service area shall conform to the rural standard
requirements as prepared by the city engineer' s office.
The construction of private streets are prohibited.
(o) Up to four ( 4) lots may be served by a private driveway
if the City finds the following conditions to exist:
(1) The prevailing development pattern makes it
infeasible or inappropriate to construct a public
street. Locations of existing homes, property
lines and potential future home sites may be
considered.
( 2 ) After reviewing the surrounding area it is
concluded that an extension of the public street
system is not required to serve other parcels in
the area, improve access, or to provide a street
system consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
( 3) The use of a private driveway will permit enhanced
protection of wetlands and mature trees.
If the use of private driveway is to be allowed, they
shall be subject to the following standards:
(1) Common sections of private driveways serving two
( 2) or more homes must be built to a seven ( 7) ton
design, paved to a width of twenty (20) feet,
utilize a maximum grade of 10%, and provide
a turnaround area acceptable to the fire marshal
based upon guidelines provided by applicable fire
codes. Plans for the driveway shall be submitted
to the city engineer. Upon completion of the
driveway, the applicant shall be required to submit
a set of "as-built" plans signed by a registered
civil engineer.
(2) Private driveways must be maintained in good
condition and plowed as needed. Covenants
concerning maintenance shall be filed against all
benefitting properties. Parking or otherwise
blocking all or part of the driveway shall be pro-
hibited.
( 3) The driveway must be provided with drainage
improvements determined to be necessary by the city
engineer.
( 4) Street addresses or city approved street name sign,
if required, must be posted at the point where
the private driveway intersects the public
right-of-way.
( 5) The driveway shall be designed to minimize impacts
upon adjoining parcels. The city may require
revised alignments and landscaping to minimize
impact.
( 6) The driveway must be located within a strip of
property at least thirty ( 30) feet wide extending
out to the public right-of-way or covered by a
thirty ( 30) ft. wide easement that is permanently
recorded over all benefitted and impacted parcels.
(p) Private reserve strips controlling public access to
streets shall be prohibited.
Section 2. This ordinance shall be effective immediately
upon its passage and publication.
Passed and adopted by the Chanhassen City Council this
day of , 1990.
ATTEST:
Don Ashworth, City Clerk/Manager Donald J. Chmiel, Mayor
(Published in the Chanhassen Villager on , 1990)
-2-
ORDINANCE NO.
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 20 OF THE
CHANHASSEN CITY CODE, THE ZONING ORDINANCE
DEALING WITH NECK/FLAG LOTS AND ACCESS BY
PRIVATE DRIVEWAYS
The City Council of the City of Chanhassen Ordains as
follows:
Section 1. Section 20-1, Definitions, of the Chanhassen
City Code is amended to read:
Neck lot/flag lot means a lot that does not provide the full
required frontage on a public right-of-way but rather is served
by a narrow "neck" of land that extends to the street. To meet
the definition the neck must be at least 30 feet wide.
Section 2. Article XI, RR, Rural Residential District,
Section 20-595 shall be revised as follows:
Section 20-595. Lot Requirements and setbacks .
The following minimum requirements shall be observed an the
"RR" District subject to additional requirements, exceptions and
modifications set forth in this chapter:
( 1) The minimum lot area is two and one-half ( 2i ) acres, sub-
ject to Section 20-906
( 2) The minimum lot frontage is two hundred ( 200) feet, except
that lots fronting on a cul-de-sac "bubble" or along the
outside curve of a curvilinear street section shall be two
hundred ( 200) feet in width at the building setback line.
The location of these lots is conceptually illustrated
below. Lot width on neck or flag lots or lots accessed by
private driveways shall also have their lot width measured
at the building setback line.
( 3) The minimum lot depth is two hundred ( 200) feet.
( 4) The maximum lot coverage is twenty ( 20) percent.
( 5) The setbacks are as follows:
a. For front yards, fifty ( 50) feet.
b. For rear yards, fifty ( 50) feet.
c. For side yards, ten (10) feet.
( 6) The setbacks for lots served by private driveways and/or
flag and neck lots, are as follows:
a. For front yards, thirty ( 30) feet. The front yard
shall be the lot line nearest the public right-of-way
that provides access to the parcel. The rear lot line
is to be located opposite from the front lot line with
the remaining exposures treated as side lot lines. On
neck/flag lots the front yard setback shall be
measured at the point nearest the front lot line where
the lot achieves a two hundred (200) foot width.
b. For rear yards, fifty (50) feet.
c. For side yards, fifty ( 50) feet.
( 7) The maximum height is as follows:
a. For the principal structure, three (3) stories/forty
(40) feet.
b. For accessory structures, three (3) stories/forty (40) ft.
( 8) The minimum driveway separate is as follows:
a. If the driveway is on a collector street, four hundred
( 400) feet.
b. If the drivway is on an arterial street, one thousand
two hundred fifty (1,250) feet.
Section 3. Section 20-615 entitled Lot Requirements and
Setbacks shall be amended to read as follows:
The following minimum requirements shall be observed in an
"RSF" District subject to additional requirements, exceptions and
modifications set forth in this chapter:
(1) The minimum lot area is fifteen thousand (15,000 square
feet) . For neck or flag lots, the lot area requirements
`shall be met after the area contained within the "neck"
has been excluded from consideration.
( 2) The minimum lot frontage is ninety (90) feet, except
that lots fronting on a cul-de-sac "bubble" or along the
outside curve of curvilinear street sections shall be
ninety ( 90) feet in width at the building setback line.
The location of this lot is conceptually illustrated below.
Lots Where Frontage Is
Measured At Setback Line
• • L
c
• ••• ••w
• IF • •�•
C
•
fiv
-2-
' ( 3) The minimum lot depth is one hundred twenty-five (125)
feet.
The location of these lots is conceptually illustrated below.
Lot width on neck or flag lots and lots accessed by private
driveways shall be one hundred (100) feet as measured at the
front building setback line.
• ( 4) The maximum lot coverage for all structures and paved
surfaces is twenty-five (25) percent.
( 5) The setbacks are as follows:
(a) For front yards, thirty (30) feet.
(b) For rear yards, thirty ( 30) feet.
(c) For side yards, ten (10) feet
( 6) The setbacks for lots served by private driveways and/or
flag and neck lots, are as follows:
a. For front yard, thirty (30) feet. The front yard
shall be the lot line nearest the public right-of-way
that provides access to the parcel. The rear yard
lot line is to be located opposite from the front lot
line with the remaining exposures treated as side lot
lines. On neck lots the front yard setback shall be
measured at the point nearest the front lot line
where the lot achieves a one hundred (100) foot
-minimum width.
b. For rear yards, thirty (30) feet.
c. For side yards, twenty (20) feet.
Neck I Flag Lots
Fron Lot Line
auut
1 I i1 i
1 $ I I
1 t t t
100 Lot Width t ! I I
I i a.i WW1
i i
L — L ell=MD.._i� _.J
(7) The maximum height is as follows:
a. For the principal structure, (three (3)
stories/forty (40) feet.
-3-
b. For accessory structures, three ( 3) stories/forty
( 40) feet.
Section 4. This ordinance shall be effective immediately
upon its passage and publication.
Passed and adopted by the Chanhassen City Council this
day of , 1990.
ATTEST:
Don Ashworth, City Clerk/Manager Donald J. Chmiel, Mayor
(Published in the Chanhassen Villager on , 1990)
-4-
•
ORDINANCE NO.
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 20 OF THE CHANHASSEN CITY CODE, THE
ZONING ORDINANCE DEALING WITH NECK/FLAG LOTS AND LOT FRONTAGE
REQUIREMENTS AND CHAPTER 18, THE SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE, DEALING
WITH STREETS
On , 1990, the City Council approved the final
reading of ordinance amendments pertaining to lots accessed by
private driveways and lot frontage requirements for lots on cul-
de-sacs and curvilinear streets. The amendments will allow the
platting of up to four lots accessed by a private driveway sub-
ject to meeting a series of findings. Construction standards for
these private driveways are established to insure that adequate
levels of access are provided. The amendments also allow for the
measurement of lot width at the building setback line for lots on
cul-de-sac bubbles and along the outside curve of curvilinear
streets.
Enforcement of this ordinance shall be subject to the provi-
sions of the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances . This ordinance
is in full force commencing on the date of publication of this
summary.
Don Ashworth
City Manager
(Publish in the Chanhassen Villager on , 1990)
city WunCll nee-rang rLDLU3x 14,-19910
•
Councilman Johnson: Absolutely.
i
r
Councilwoman Dimler moved, Councilman Johnson seconded to approve the amendment
to modify the Recreational Beachlot Ordinance to clarify lot depth requirements
as shown on Attachment #7 amending Section 20-263(13) (c) to read the planting
and maintenance of trees and shrubs; and to amend the last paragraph to read:
To the extent feasible, the City may impose such conditions even after approval
of the beachlot. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT FOR RSF DISTRICT STANDARDS DEALING WITH LOT FRONTAGE
AND ACCESS BY PRIVATE DRIVEWAYS, FIRST READING.
Paul Krauss: Over the past 6 months the issue of accessing single family lots
by private driveway has been discussed on several occasions. This type of
access is currently not allowed or requires a variance on your part which has
been granted most recently, as I recall in the Vineland Forest subdivision.
When these things had came up, staff has indicated a belief that this type of
lot may often represent the most sensitive way to develop an otherwise
acceptable residential parcel. In discussions with the Council, staff was
directed to propose an ordinance revision that would deal with this matter
directly. We've drafted such an ordinance and basically what it does is it
allows up to 4 lots to be accessed by a private driveway. However, since it's
our preference that lots be accessed by public right-of-way if possible, there's
I a series of standards proposed. First, there is criteria outlining when a
private drive would be considered. Basically they're findings. Findings that
the applicant would have to demonstrate to your satisfaction. Basically they
constitute a demonstration that the private drive option is the most
environmentally sensitive option in that it doesn't impact adjoining parcels or
minimizes impact on adjoining parcels. The ordinance then outlines very
stringent standards for the construction of private drives. The standards are
particularly stringent because we believe we have to maintain a legitimate
access both for the people that live there and for the City emergency vehicles.
Finally, recognizing that neck lots or flag lots or lots accessed by private
driveways oftentimes are different or are out of place in the neighborhood as it
develops, if you have hames lining a street, this is behind that, we wanted to
provide some additional protection for the adjoining properties. So we've
proposed that the 90 foot lot width be increased to 100 feet and that the 10
foot sideyard setback be increased to 20 feet. We really want to avoid
impacting people's rear yard areas and we think that this goes a way to doing
that. The drafted ordinance would also seek to clarify lot frontage
requirements on lots fronting on cul-de-sacs and curvalinear streets. You may
recall this also came up during the Vineland Forest subdivision. The ordinance
right now allows you to measure lot frontage at the building setback line on
cul-de-sacs. It doesn't say where on cul-de-sacs. We're proposing that it be
changed so you measure it that way on cul-de-sac bubbles or an outside curves
along curvalinear streets where the same situation results. The Planning
Commission reviewed the draft in January and recommended several changes. Most
noteably they requested that similar standards be allowed in the rural
residential district. The City Attorney also requested same changes and both
his and the Planning Commission changes have been incorporated. The ordinance
was drafted in consultation with the fire chief and the fire marshall and we
71
City Council Meeting - February 12, 1990
beleive responds to their needs and fire code requirements. It was also
reviewed by the Public Safety Commission earlier last week and they
recommended that it be approved. With that we're recommending that the
first reading of the ordinance be approved.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay thank you. Any discussion? Not hearing any.
Councilman Boyt: I'd add one thing. Excuse me. That is that the main body
of the lot should meet 15,000 square foot standard.
Councilman Johnson: Right. It's not included in the flag.
Councilman Boyt: That's right.
Mayor Chmiel : Not including the flag.
Councilman Workman: This is the first reading?
Mayor Chmiel : Yes. Is there a motion?
Councilman Workman moved, Councilwoman Dimler seconded to approve the first
reading of Zoning Ordinance Amendment for RSF District standards dealing
with lot frontage and access by private drives amended to read that the
main body of the lot, not including the neck, shall meet the 15,000 square
foot minimum requirement. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
SET SPECIAL MEETING DATES: A. REFUNDING BONDS OF 1990/CITY AUDITORS/
POSITION CLASSIFICIATION PLAN.
Councilman Johnson moved, Councilman Workman seconded to set the date of
Tuesday, March 6, 1990 at 7:00 p.m. as the meeting date for the City
Auditors and Position Classification Plan and approved Resolution #90-18
calling for the sale of the 1990 Refunding Bonds. All voted in favor and
the motion carried .
B. BOARD OF REVIEW AND EQUALIZATION.
The City Council set the meeting date of Tuesday, May 15, 1990 at 7:00 p.m.
for the Board of Review and Equalization.
COMMISSION INTERVIEW PROCESS, COUNCILWOMAN DIMLER.
Councilwoman Dimler: That is a resolution to establish procedure for
filling commission vacancies. I don't know if you've all had a chance to
read it but it deals with the commission never risking the lack of a
quorum. It also deal with the encumbants knowing that they're reappointed
prior to the expiration date. It deals with the new appointees having time
to become acquainted with their responsibilities prior to taking office on
January 1st. And there are 5 recommendations then that the advertisement
announcing the commission vacancies be placed in the official newspaper
during the first week in October and shall be published 3 consecutive
weeks. Number two, that after the third publication, application process
shall remain open for another 2 weeks. Item 3, the commission members
interviewing applicants at their regular scheduled meeting
72
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 8, 1990
PAGE 1
PRESENT: Bill Bernhjelm ABSENT: Wayne Wenzlaff
Bill Boyt
Craig Blechta
Barb Klick
STAFF PRESENT: Jim Chaffee, Public Safety Director
Dale Gregory, Fire Chief
(Public Safety Commission applicants were interviewed from
6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. )
Co-Chairman Bernhjelm opened the meeting at 9:00 P.M.
Director Jim Chaffee discussed the memo from Planning Director
Paul Krauss regarding the proposed revisions to the zoning ordi-
nance dealing with neck/flag lots and lot frontage requirements.
Lengthy discussion followed among the commission members with
additional comments from Dale Gregory, Fire Chief, and Sgt. Bob
VanDenBroecke. Craig Blechta motioned, Bill Boyt seconded, to
accept staff's recommendation that the Planning Commission
approve the proposed ordinance changes dealing with neck lots and
lots accessd by private drives. All voted in favor and the
motion carried.
Sgt. VanDenBroecke discussed the pin map of accident locations
and will bring additional traffic report information at the April
meeting.
Fire Chief Dale Gregory mentioned that the Fire Department ended
the year of 1989 with 370 calls, 10 less than 1988 with 380
calls. There are currently 36 members of the Fire Department.
Discussion followed on the 18-40 year old age limit to join the
Department. The committee is leaving next Friday, 2/16, to
review the aerial ladder truck which will be delivered in 2-3
weeks. Bill Boyt suggested getting a name plate with all the
current members names on it and displaying it on the back of the
new aerial truck. Jim Chaffee mentioned the promotion of Mark
Littfin to Fire Marshal and Dale Gregory to Fire Chief for
another 2 year term.
Bill Boyt suggested getting a notice in the paper concerning the
water shortage and the need to establish an even/odd sprinkling
ban. He also suggested the need to notify homeowners/contractors
not to seed or sod this spring.
Jim Chaffee mentioned he received 2 applications for the Police
Study Committee.
Barb Klick motioned, Bill Bernhjelm seconded, to adjourn the
meeting at 9:40 P.M. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
4 CITY OF
s
. . A 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937-1900 • FAX(612) 937-5739 "to by ettY Administrator
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MEMORANDUM Podr}led
REJBCtE'(Ls-�--�
TO: Don Ashworth, City Manager D`te-- °--�= 0
FROM: Paul Krauss, Planning Director
0 Date Submitted to Comrmssio,t
bete Submted to ecu o i
DATE: February 5 , 1990 ex/ - /P--- /e>
SUBJ: Proposed Revisions to the Zoning and Subdivision
Ordinances Dealing with Neck/Flag Lots and Lot Frontage
Requirements
BACKGROUND
During the review of several recent development proposals, staff
became aware of two related problems with the Zoning Ordinance.
The first deals with neck lots and lots accessed by private drive-
ways. The Subdivision Ordinance allows up to four lots to be
accessed by private drives [Section 18-57(n) ] outside the MUSA
line subject to certain criteria, but does not provide similar
flexibility in serviced areas. The ordinance formerly allowed up
to three homes on private drives anywhere in the City, but this
was deleted several years ago. In any case, the City continues
to receive requests for this type of development, most recently
with the Vineland Forest plat. The RSF district requires that
all lots must have a minimum lot frontage of 90 feet, thus
precluding the possibility of developing neck lots or lots served
by private driveway without the granting of variances. (A neck
or flag lot is a lot whose only street frontage is a narrow strip
of land leading up to the homesite. Typically, the only purpose
of the neck is to accommodate the driveway.)
Staff believes that there are valid reasons to consider
approval of neck lots and lots accessed by private drives. It is
occasionally inappropriate to force construction of a full stan-
dard public street. The use of private driveways can result in
decreased environmental impact due to their more flexible design.
In addition, the development pattern in an area may preclude the
option of constructing a public street since it may serve only
one or two lots. It may be economically unviable to build a
street or a street could impact lots located outside the plat (for
example if a road is run along rear property lines) . At the same
time, lots having little or no frontage on a public right-of-way
can provide high quality homesites that are accessed in a manner
that is sensitive to these limitations. The use of private drives
Mr. Don Ashworth
February 5, 1990
Page 2
could also allow property owners to maximize the utilization
of their land. Consequently, we are proposing revised ordinance
language that would give the City discretion to allow neck lots
and access by private drives. The ordinance is designed so that
the City may approve these situations, if certain criteria are
met, without resorting to the need to grant a variance. We
believe the continued reliance on variances to resolve these
situations as done in the past is inappropriate and would compro-
mise the City' s ability to exercise the high degree of control
needed to regulate them. The ordinance lists the situations
where these alternatives may be appropriate, provides building
setback standards appropriate to these lots and provides design
standards to insure that the private driveway is constructed to
acceptable standards. The ordinance states that the City Council
may allow the use of private drives and/or neck lots when it
finds that the following conditions exist:
1. Due to topography and/or the surrounding development pat-
tern the City determines that it is not feasible to
construct a full width public street.
2 . The use of a private drive results in enhanced environ-
mental protection for wetlands, tree cover and drainage
ways.
3 . The City determines that a public street serving the
subject and adjacent properties will not be a viable
option in the future.
4. Use of a private drive minimizes inpact on adjacent par-
cels located outside the plat.
PRIVATE DRIVEWAY STANDARDS
Private driveways would be subject to high development standards.
The standards include, but are not limited to the following:
1. No more than 4 homes are to be accessed by a private
drive.
2. Private drives serving 2 or more homes must be built to a
minimum 7 ton design, be paved to a width of 20 feet,
utilize grades not exceeding 10% and provide a- turnaround
area acceptable to the Fire Marshal.
3 . Private drives must be maintained in good condition.
Covenants outlining responsibilities for joint main-
tenance must be filed with the benefitting properties.
4. The driveway must be provided with drainage improvements
determined to be necessary by the City Engineer.
5. Street addresses must be clearly posted where the drive-
way meets the public right-of-way.
Mr. Don Ashworth
February 5, 1990
Page 4
In the past, staff has frequently made a determination that the
cul-de-sac standard should be applied to curvilinear streets to
avoid variance situations. This procedure is legally
questionable but it has become normal operating procedure.
The Planning Commission reviewed this proposal at their January
17, 1990 meeting. They unanimously recommended adoption of the
ordinance with two minor changes. The most significant revision
discussed at that meeting was to add clarification that the drive-
way construction standards only apply to those sections of the
driveway which were used in common by two or more homes. At the
special Planning Commission meeting to discuss the Comprehensive
Plan, the Commissioners informed staff that they would prefer to
have similar standards as had been proposed in the RSF District
also apply to development in the Rural Residential District.
Staff saw no problem with this approach since the issues of
construction on curvilinear and cul-de-sac street sections and
dealing with neck lots and private driveways are similar. These
changes have been incorporated in the draft ordinance.
Staff also discussed the matter with the City Attorney. He indi-
cated that several revisions should be incorporated to achieve
the desired purpose. The first was that a definition should be
provided for neck and flag lots. Staff could find no formal
definition in any planning texts for these lots, so one was
drafted. In addition, it was suggested that the manner in which
the determination is to be made as to which is the front lot line
on a neck or flag lot could be difficult to manage and that it
should be revised. The original proposal was for the City to
establish what the front lot line was at the time the plat was
filed. Staff had proposed this since it is often unclear as to
what is effectively the front lot line when there is no street
frontage. Based upon comments received from the City Attorney,
we have modified the ordinance so that the front lot line will
be the lot line nearest to the public right-of-way that provides
access to the parcel. Thus we believe the matter can be resolved
quite simply.
As a result of these discussions, staff reviewed the draft and
has proposed one additional change. We are proposing that the
lot width of neck or flags lots or lots accessed by private
driveways in the RSF District be increased from 90 feet to 100
feet minimum. We had already proposed that the side lot lines be
increased from 10 feet to 20 feet to minimize potential impacts
of rear yard development and now believe that the larger lot
width is required to insure that a sufficient buildable area
remains. This change has also been incorporated.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve first reading for
the proposed ordinance amendments dealing with neck lots and lots
accessed by private drives.
Mr. Don Ashworth
February 5, 1990
Page 5
NOTE: A copy of this ordinance has been submitted to the Public
Safety Commission for review and is scheduled for discussion at
their February 8th meeting. This issue has been discussed by
them in the past and they have indicated a desire to have street
names posted for private drives. They may also wish to provide
added language to insure that the driveways are maintained in a
passable condition. Any recommendations made by the Public
Safety Commission will be incorporated into the second reading of
the ordinance. Staff discussed the proposal with the Fire Chief
and Fire Marshal and they indicated support for the concept.
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 18-57 OF THE SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE
ENTITLED STREETS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHANHASSEN ORDAINS:
Section 1. Section 18-57 of the Chanhassen Subdivision
Ordinance entitled "Streets" shall be amended as follows:
(n) Public streets to be constructed in subdivisions located
inside the year 2000 metropolitan service area line, as
identified in the city comprehensive plan shall be
constructed to urban standards as prepared by the city
engineer's office. Streets to be constructed in sub-
divisions located outside the year 2000 metropolitan
urban service area shall conform to the rural standard
requirements as prepared by the city engineer' s office.
The construction of private streets are prohibited.
- - - .
following conditions;
(1) Reservation of a sixty foot easement;
( 2) The private drive shall be constructed to appli
to three ( 3) or four (4) lots. Private drives in
these situations may contain a gravel surface.
Private drives to be shared by two ( 2) lots do not
-( 3) Subdivision in excess of four ( 4) lo Shall be
required to construct a public street with a paved
c3trect shall not be permitted when an internal
public street is provided.
(0) UP TO FOUR ( 4) LOTS MAY BE SERVED BY A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY
IF THE CITY FINDS THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS TO EXIST:
( 1) THE PREVAILING DEVELOPMENT PATTERN MAKES IT
INFEASIBLE OR INAPPROPRIATE TO CONSTRUCT A PUBLIC
STREET. LOCATIONS OF EXISTING HOMES, PROPERTY
LINES AND POTENTIAL FUTURE HOME SITES MAY BE
CONSIDERED.
( 2 ) AFTER REVIEWING THE SURROUNDING AREA IT IS
CONCLUDED THAT AN EXTENSION OF THE PUBLIC STREET
SYSTEM IS NOT REQUIRED TO SERVE OTHER PARCELS IN
THE AREA, IMPROVE ACCESS, OR TO PROVIDE A STREET
SYSTEM CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
( 3) THE USE OF A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY WILL PERMIT ENHANCED
PROTECTION OF WETLANDS AND MATURE TREES.
IF THE USE OF PRIVATE DRIVEWAY IS TO BE ALLOWED, THEY
SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING STANDARDS:
( 1) COMMON SECTIONS OF PRIVATE DRIVEWAYS SERVING TWO
( 2 ) OR MORE HOMES MUST BE BUILT TO A SEVEN ( 7) TON
DESIGN, PAVED TO A WIDTH OF TWENTY ( 20) FEET,
UTILIZE A MAXIMUM GRADE OF 10%, AND PROVIDE A
TURNAROUND AREA ACCEPTABLE TO THE FIRE MARSHAL
BASED UPON GUIDELINES PROVIDED BY APPLICABLE FIRE
CODES . PLANS FOR THE DRIVEWAY SHALL BE SUBMITTED
TO THE CITY ENGINEER. UPON COMPLETION OF THE
DRIVEWAY, THE APPLICANT SHALL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT
A SET OF "AS-BUILT" PLANS SIGNED BY A REGISTERED
CIVIL ENGINEER.
( 2 ) PRIVATE DRIVEWAYS MUST BE MAINTAINED IN GOOD
CONDITION AND PLOWED AS NEEDED. COVENANTS
CONCERNING MAINTENANCE SHALL BE FILED AGAINST ALL
BENEFITTING PROPERTIES.
( 3) THE DRIVEWAY MUST BE PROVIDED WITH DRAINAGE
IMPROVEMENTS DETERMINED TO BE NECESSARY BY THE CITY
ENGINEER.
( 4 ) STREET ADDRESSES MUST BE POSTED AT THE POINT WHERE
THE PRIVATE DRIVEWAY INTERSECTS THE PUBLIC
RIGHT-OF-WAY.
( 5) THE DRIVEWAY SHALL BE DESIGNED TO MINIMIZE IMPACTS
UPON ADJOINING PARCELS. THE CITY MAY REQUIRE
REVISED ALIGNMENTS AND LANDSCAPING TO MINIMIZE
IMPACT.
( 6 ) THE DRIVEWAY MUST BE LOCATED WITHIN A STRIP OF
PROPERTY AT LEAST THIRTY ( 30) FEET WIDE EXTENDING
OUT TO THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY OR COVERED BY A
THIRTY ( 30) FT. WIDE EASEMENT THAT IS PERMANENTLY
RECORDED OVER ALL BENEFITTED AND IMPACTED PARCELS.
(p) Private reserve strips controlling public access to
streets shall be prohibited.
Section 2. This ordinance shall be effective immediately
upon its passage and publication.
-2-
Passed and adopted by the Chanhassen City Council this
day of , 1990.
ATTEST:
Don Ashworth, City Clerk/Manager Donald J. Chmiel, Mayor
(Published in the Chanhassen Villager on , 1990)
-3-
ORDINANCE NO.
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 20 OF THE
CHANHASSEN CITY CODE, THE ZONING ORDINANCE
The City Council of the City of Chanhassen Ordains as
follows:
Section 1. Section 20-1, Definitions, of the Chanhassen
City Code is amended to read:
Neck lot/flag lot means a lot that does not provide the full
required frontage on a public right-of-way but rather is served
by a narrow "neck" of land that extends to the street. To meet
the definition the neck must be at least 30 feet wide.
Section 2. Article XI, RR, Rural Residential District,
Section 20-595 shall be revised as follows:
Section 20-595. Lot Requirements and setbacks.
The following minimum requirements shall be observed an the
"RR" District subject to additional requirements, exceptions and
modifications set forth in this chapter:
(1) The minimum lot area is two and one-half (2i ) acres, sub-
ject to Section 20-906
( 2) The minimum lot frontage is two hundred (200) feet, except
that lots fronting on a cul-de-sac "bubble" or along the
outside curve of a curvilinear street section shall be two
hundred ( 200) feet in width at the building setback line.
The location of these lots is conceptually illustrated
below. Lot width on neck or flag lots or lots accessed by
private driveways shall also have their lot width measured
at the building setback line.
( 3) The minimum lot depth is two hundred (200) feet.
( 4 ) The maximum lot coverage is twenty ( 20) percent.
( 5) The setbacks are as follows:
a. For front yards, fifty ( 50) feet.
b. For rear yards, fifty ( 50) feet.
c. For side yards, ten (10) feet.
( 6) The setbacks for lots served by private driveways and/or
flag and neck lots, are as follows:
a. For front yards, thirty ( 30) feet. The front yard
shall be the lot line nearest the public right-of-way
that provides access to the parcel. The rear lot line
is to be located opposite from the front lot line with
the remaining exposures treated as side lot lines. On
neck/flag lots the front yard setback shall be
measured at the point nearest the front lot line where
the lot achieves a two hundred ( 200) foot width.
b. For rear yards, fifty ( 50) feet.
c . For side yards, fifty ( 50) feet.
( 7) The maximum height is as follows:
a. For the principal structure, three ( 3) stories/forty
( 40) feet.
b. For accessory structures, three ( 3) stories/forty (40)
feet.
( 8) The minimum driveway separate is as follows:
a. If the driveway is on a collector street, four hundred
( 400) feet.
b. If the drivway is on an arterial street, one thousand
two hundred fifty (1,250) feet.
Section 3. Section 20-615 entitled Lot Requirements and
Setbacks shall be amended to read as follows :
The following minimum requirements shall be observed in an
"RSF" District subject to additional requirements , exceptions and
modifications set forth in this chapter:
( 1) The minimum lot area is fifteen thousand ( 15, 000 square
feet) .
( 2) The minimum lot frontage is ninety (90) feet, except
that lots fronting on a cul-de-sac "bubble" or along the
outside curve of curvilinear street sections shall be
ninety ( 90) feet in width at the building setback line.
The location of this lot is conceptually illustrated
below.
Lots Where Frontage Is
Measured At Setback Line
1
•
ft I
• •
4e •
•
• e
` I .
( 3 ) The minimum lot depth is one hundred twenty-five (125)
feet.
THE LOCATION OF THESE LOTS IS CONCEPTUALLY ILLUSTRATED BELOW.
LOT WIDTH ON NECK OR FLAG LOTS AND LOTS ACCESSED BY PRIVATE
DRIVEWAYS SHALL BE ONE HUNDRED ( 100) FEET AS MEASURED AT THE
FRONT BUILDING SETBACK LINE.
( 4) The maximum lot coverage for all structures and paved
surfaces is twenty-five ( 25) percent.
( 5) The setbacks are as follows:
(a) For front yards, thirty ( 30) feet.
(b) For rear yards, thirty ( 30) feet.
( c) For side yards, ten (10) feet
( 6) THE SETBACKS FOR LOTS SERVED BY PRIVATE DRIVEWAYS AND/OR
FLAG AND NECK LOTS, ARE AS FOLLOWS:
a. FOR FRONT YARD, THIRTY ( 30) FEET. THE FRONT YARD
SHALL BE THE LOT LINE NEAREST THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
THAT PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE PARCEL. THE REAR YARD
LOT LINE IS TO BE LOCATED OPPOSITE FROM THE FRONT LOT
LINE WITH THE REMAINING EXPOSURES TREATED AS SIDE LOT
LINES. ON NECK LOTS THE FRONT YARD SETBACK SHALL BE
MEASURED AT THE POINT NEAREST THE FRONT LOT LINE
WHERE THE LOT ACHIEVES A ONE HUNDRED ( 100) FOOT
MINIMUM WIDTH.
b. FOR REAR YARDS, THIRTY ( 30) FEET.
c. FOR SIDE YARDS, TWENTY ( 20) FEET.
Neck / Flag Lots
From Lot Line
Street
I W I
t � 1 1 1
I 1 1
1 00 Lot idth i (
1
- 1
I �a w�a.
1 I
1 � I
L _
( 7) The maximum height is as follows:
a. For the principal structure, ( three ( 3 )
stories/forty ( 40) feet.
-3-
b. For accessory structures, three ( 3) stories/forty
( 40) feet.
Section 4. This ordinance shall be effective immediately
upon its passage and publication.
Passed and adopted by the Chanhassen City Council this
day of , 1990.
ATTEST:
Don Ashworth, City Clerk/Manager Donald J. Chmiel, Mayor
(Published in the Chanhassen Villager on , 1990)
-4-
Planning Commission Meeting
January 17, 1990 - Page 56
(e) Standards of maintenance including mowing and trimming; painting and
upkeep of racks, docks and other equipment; disposal of trash and
debris;
(f) Increased width, depth or area requirements based upon the intensity
of the use proposed or the number of dwellings having rights of
access.
To the extent feasible, the City may impose such conditions even after
approval of the beachlot if the City finds it necessary based upon
conflicts with the use of other property or failure to maintain property of
equipment.
All voted in favor and the motion carried.
(Ladd Conrad left the meeting at this point and turned the Chair over to
Steve Er-mings.)
PUBLIC HEARING:
ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO AMEND THE CITY CODE FOR MODIFICATIONS TO THE
SUBDIVISION AND ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE RSF DISTRICT STANDARDS DEALING
WITH LOT FRONTAGE AND ACCESS BY PRIVATE DRIVEWAYS.
Public Present:
Name Address
Terry Forbord Lundgren Bros. , Vice President
Emmings: Has everybody read the material? Is there anything you want to
add to what you've already read?
Krauss: I'd be happy to respond to questions. I guess all I'd say is,
this is arising out of a need that's become apparent during the processing
of our subdivisions and having worked on these things over the years, that
we just needed a method of legitimizing these things. The standards that
are being proposed are pretty tough. This does not provide an easy out for
somebody that wants to avoid a public street.
Emmings: Okay, this is a public hearing so we'll open the public hearing.
Is there anybody that's got comments?
Terry Forbord: Terry Forbord from Lundgren Bros.. Actually I support Mr.
Krauss' proposal. There certainly are, this does legitimize the need for
private driveways although I may at times think there's a need far greater
than Paul's at the time but it's a great concept because there are times,
just from an environmental standpoint, that it really doesn' t make any
sense to put in a street. Oftentimes we get conditioned into thinking with
if we put in streets, that's a good thing to do. The bigger and the wider
and the longer and the more pavement and that's not always really what's in
Planning Commission Meeting
January 17, 1990 - Page 57
the best interest of the land, the City, the public. Remember somebody has
to pay for those streets and those get attached to the price of the homes •
so sometimes putting in streets aren't the best thing to do and private
driveways, in the right situation, certainly are a good idea. Paul,
certainly pointed out a couple areas in the existing ordinance that really
didn't deal with this correctly and he's done a really good job in the way
he's presented this.
Emmings: Do you have any comments on the neck lots and flag lots?
Terry Forbord: No. I pretty much can support this and endorse this.
There's a time, certain situations that may come up where you might have to
deal with it differently but there's a variance proceeding that one can go
through. I support this.
Batzli moved , Ellson seconded to close the public hearing . All voted in
favor and the motion carried. The public hearing was closed.
Emmings: Paul, this basically clears up things that we've been talking
about for a long time. This ordinance. Isn't that right?
Krauss: I hope so, yes.
Emmings: Okay, let's go around for comments. Annette?
Ellson: I like it. I think it answers what we've been trying to
accomplish and I am not about to try to make it better. I think it's
perfectly fine.
Batzli : My only question is, it seems to me that we had a situation not
really like this but kind of in what was Vineland? Now one of the concerns
there was that they were putting the road in the guy's backyard. We were
talking about a sideyard setback from the road that was proposed to go up
through the neck. How do you address something like that? It's really not
addressed in here necessarily other than you would allow a private drive if
there were fewer than what, 4 homes or whatever?
Krauss: Yeah, but there is language and I doubt if I can find it but
there's language in here that allows you to set some sighting criteria for
a private drive recognizing that particular problem. It will also allow
you to impose some landscaping requirements if necessary to minimize impact
because these things do run near people's backyards. That is a problem
with them. But I think it does give you the flexibility to do that. It's
number 5 on page 2 of the zoning ordinance amendment. The driveway shall
be designed to minimize impact. upon adjoining parcels. The City may
require revised alignments and landscaping to minimize impacts.
Batzli : Okay. So in Vineland they had more than the 4 parcels so this
wouldn't have helped that particular situation.
Krauss : Well the way Vineland ultimately shook out is that there was only
one home that became a neck lot access from Pleasant View.
Planning Commission Meeting
January 17, 1990 - Page 58
Batzli: Yeah, but as originally proposed it would have served what, like
20 lots so they wouldn't have been able to do the private.
Krauss: No. We didn't support that concept from the start.
Batzli: Well it was a big cul-de-sac. But assuming that that was the onl,
access into and out of there, you'd still have a problem in situations lik.
that where there was more than 4 homes. Still have a sideyard setback
problem for certain neck, flag accesses so this as originally proposed by
the developer, this wouldn't have helped that particular homeowner.
Krauss: No, and specifically it's intended not to. If you're platting
more than 4 lots, almost invariably, you can put a public street in.
There's really no reason not to.
Batzli : But that's the question. How intrusive can a developer be into a
existing homeowner's sideyard by serving, let's say it was 160 lots?
That's my problem with it and I don't know that this addresses it and I
don't think it's intended to.
Krauss: No, it isn't and that's a problem that occurs anytime you're
developing a new public street or private drive that's in proximity to
somebody elses property line rather than being centered within a large
parcel. It's an issue that, typically you want to keep the roadway
centered so those who benefit are the ones who are impacted by it. That's
a rule of thumb and we do that with all public streets. This ordinance is
real specific. It's only dealing with those situations that for very
specific criteria we can't serve by public street. And yeah, that
situation, that scenario may develop but unlike with public streets where
the design is basically handled in the subdivision process, this gives you
the authority to move the private driveway around. If you want to save
some trees on a property line, you can require that it be shifted. If
there isn't landscaping, you could require that it be installed so in some
respects you probably have better control over the private driveways under
this ordinance than you do with the public street.
Batzli: But let's go back to Vineland for just one second and I agree wit
what you just said but if they would have put a public street in there,
wouldn't it have been reasonable to require them to not have it shifted al
the way over to the east on their property line so it was only 24 feet awa,
from this guy's house. Wouldn't it be better to be able to force them to
center it on their own neck portion even if it was a public street and not
a private driveway? That's what we weren't able to do and he was trying t.
put in the 3 houses on the west side and run the road right along the
property line. That's what the adjancent property owner was objecting to.
We still have that problem.
Krauss: We still have that problem.
Ellson: This won't be the one that's going to solve that.
Planning Commission Meeting
January 17, 1990 - Page 59
Batzli : Yeah I know but I was hoping like maybe we were working on
something to solve that problem too. But I like this. Don't get me wrong.
I was hoping that this was going to solve that. The other problem's still
in the mill I guess.
Emmings: We don't have it as a work item or anything.
Batzli: No, and I had it on my list.
Emmings: I agree. It's something that's always bugged me when I see them
put in a road and all of a sudden the person who had a yard now has
frontage on the sideyard.
Krauss: Well you know, if you reflect back for a moment to the first item
we had tonight where we proposed that road dropping to the south. The
purchaser and the realtor suggested that we require, that we put that road
right up against a neighboring property. His proposal to us was that
rather than put this road over here, which impacts a new lot that comes
like this, he said why don't you just drop it down there. I said, well we
have a fundamental problem with that because that's making this person over
here a corner lot and. . .
Emmings: Now other than jawboning, do you really have any way to prevent
him? I think there ought to be, even if it was. . .
Batzli: But see at times you may want it there. That's the difficult
part.
Krauss: First of all , it can't be any closer than 30 feet or we're
violating our own standards. If we do that than we have to go through a
variance procedure.
Emmings: What can' t be closer than 30 feet? A paved street?
Krauss: If we plat a new road less than 30 feet from somebody's house,
we're creating .a variance situation.
Emmings: House or lot?
Krauss: House.
Ellson: But for now in this what do you think Brian?
Batzli: I like this. I've said that. We got off the track. That's all I
have.
Ahrens: I'm not aware of the past problems with Vineland but I think that
this is well written.
Emmings: I agree. I only have a couple of things. I just don't know, I
circled two words as being, they're looking funny to me spelling wise.
Curvalinear on the first one. Maybe that's the way it's spelled. It just
looks funny to me.
Planning Commission Meeting
January 17, 1990 - Page 60
Batzli: I think there's an i in there.
Emmings: Instead of an a?
Batzli: Yeah.
Emmings: That's what I thought. But I didn't look it up so I don't know.
And then over on the other one, under Section 1, paragraph 1, it says
unfeasible and that's a funny word to me. I think it's either not feasibl =
or may be infeasible.
Krauss: Where are we now?
Emmings: Unfeasible. I don't recall ever seeing it before. Again, you
could refer to your dictionary and see. Then the only substative comment
I've got is down under the second group of numbers in number 1, it says
private driveways. The reason this is interesting to me, I live and you
should know, on a system of three houses are served by a private drive and ,
it's a very, very nice arrangement. It works real well. We share. We al
hire one guy to plow and share the cost in a real reasonable way and it's
just very nice. I really kind of like it but here it says, if it serves
two or more homes, it has to be a 7 ton design paved to a width of 20 feet.
My two neighbors have an asphalt drive and I have just rocks because I lik=
just rocks and it's not 20 feet wide. I'll bet it's 8 feet wide. •
Krauss: Well there's a real good reason for that and that's the Fire Code.
Emmings: Well okay.
Ellson: And he's going to come after you as soon as this goes into law.
Emmings: What's the problem?
Krauss: What's the problem is we can't guarantee that we can get our fire
trucks down an 8 foot wide street or an 8 foot wide driveway.
Ellson: With gravel especially.
Krauss: We're not talking about serving one home where you can sort of
bull your way through if you need to. We're talking about serving 2 or
more which is a fairly significant amount of traffic. There's more of a
likelihood that you'll have an emergency situation. Fire code requires a
20 foot wide paved surface with a turn around area that they can maneuver
in. Now that turn around area is not a 60 foot diameter cul-de-sac but you
can flare out driveways and such to make it work.
Emmings: But just a minute now. You're talking about actually paving a 20
foot width. A standard driveway.
Krauss: For a single home, may be 10 feet.
Planning Commission Meeting
January 17, 1990 - Page 61
Emmings: I think that's awful unless you absolutely, fire trucks are not
20 feet wide. They may need some maneuvering.
Krauss: They're not 20 feet wide, no. They would fit in a 12 foot drive
lane but they oftentimes have to maneuver around one another.
Ellson: If a parked car is there or something.
Krauss: If it's not plowed to it's full width.
Emmings: What's a little odd to me here is that you've got, if I'm just
one house on a driveway, do I need to be 20 feet wide paved?
Ellson: It says serving 2 or more.
Batzli: Do you just require then that portion of the driveway that's
serving the common portion of the driveway?
Krauss: That's correct. And if you have a driveway that serves two homes,
one behind the other, after you pass the first home, the driveway could
then flare down to 10 feet.
Emmings: Oh, alright.
Batzli: But this doesn' t say that I don't think does it?
Emmings: See in my situation again, everybody comes in on the same long
piece and then it all splits off. If it's only the common portion, I have
no problem with that.
Krauss: If you'd like to clarify that so that it is the common portion, I
don't have a problem with that. That's what it's intended to mean.
Emmings: Okay. Then that makes a lot of sense to me. And I'm
grandfathered in.
Ellson: You mean there's no way to go after him.
Batzli: Do we need a motion or something?
Emmings: That'd be good. If no else has any other comments. We'll have a
motion.
Ellson: I move that the Planning Commission approval proposed ordinance
changes on, I supposed I should give the Ordinance Number.
Emmings: Yes.
Ellson: Amending Section 20-615 as set out in the staff report and 18-57.
Emmings: Is there a second?
Batzli: I'll second it for discussion purposes.
Planning Commission Meeting
January 17, 1990 - Page 62
Emmings: Alright. Discuss.
Batzli: Are you going to go with the amendment that the private driveways
only those common portions.
Ellson: Yeah, reword the section to be a little more clarification to
that.
Batzli: Then I like it.
Ellson: I didn't think it needed an amendment to it. I figured he was
just going to write it that way but you're right. We're going to get
legal.
Emmings: Okay. So you're amending your motion then. To allow the staff
to clarify that in that section they're talking about the common portion o .
the driveway and may be certain other things like when one house is behind
the other. Again it will be past the first house or something like that.
That's what you're amending your motion to?
Ellson: That's exactly right.
Emmings: And you agree with that?
Batzli: Yes.
Ellson moved, Batzli seconded that the Planning Commission recommend
approval of amending Section 20-615 and Section 18-57 as presented by the
staff with clarification in Section 18-57 on the common portion of the
private driveways must be paved to 20 feet in width. All voted in favor
and the motion carried.
CITY COUNCIL UPDATE.
Emmings: We have a report from the Planning Director on the City Council
meeting. Does anybody want to make any comments about that?
Ellson: I was really surprised with that number 3 item.
Krauss: Everybody in the audience was zeal confused as was I and the City
Attorney.
Ellson: What was the vote?
Krauss: It was unanimous.
Emmings: Is it okay to change the second reading in midstream like that?
Krauss: Yes.