7.8. SR 11-20-1995(
ty of
ikk RiverTO: •
FROM:
DATE:
MEMORANDUM
Mayor & City Council
Steven B. Ach
City Planner
November 20, 1995
ITEM 7.8.
SUBJECT: Ordinance Amendment Request by the
City of Elk River, Public Hearing Case
No. OA95 -15
Issue
The City of Elk River is requesting an ordinance amendment which would
establish a minimum garage size of 20 feet by 22 feet, (440 square feet) in all
single family zoning districts within the urban service area.
• Attachments
• Ordinance 95 -_
• Report to the Planning Commission dated October 24, 1995
•
Overview
The proposed ordinance amendment would establish a minimum garage size
in all single family zoning districts within the urban service area. The
minimum garage size would be 20 by 22 feet (440 square feet) in size. This
size garage is a standard two car garage that is typically being built in the
new residential subdivisions.
One of the advantages of establishing a minimum garage size is to establish
a base standard in the residential districts. For the most part two car
garages are the standard being built in residential subdivisions and if a
homeowner was to build a single car garage this would certainly be out of
character with the surrounding properties. Therefore, by establishing the
minimum car garage size as a two car garage, continuity and maintaining a
certain level of standard that residents can expect will be maintained.
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441 -7420 • Fax: (612) 441 -7425
• Planning Commission Recommendation
The Planning Commission considered the amendment as proposed and
recommended approval of the ordinance to establish a minimum size garage
of 440 square feet in all of the single family zoning districts within the urban
service district.
Recommendation
Staff concurs with the Planning Commissions recommendation to adopt the
ordinance establishing a minimum garage size.
s: \council \oa95 -15
is
•
• ORDINANCE 95 -.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 900.20 (3) OF THE CITY OF
ELK RIVER CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATING TO
ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
(CASE NO. OA 95 -15 )
The City Council of the City of Elk River does hereby ordain as follows:
Section 1. Section 900.20 (3)(H) of the City of Elk River Code of
Ordinances is hereby amended to change the following language:
Section 200.20 (3)(H) - In all Single Family Residential Zoning
Districts, a minimum twenty feet by twenty -two feet (20' x 22')
single garage shall be constructed with a minimum of 440
square feet in area.
Passed and adopted by the Elk River City Council this 20th day of
• November, 1995.
CJ
Attest:
Sandra A. Thackeray, City Clerk
s: document:ordinance:oa95 -15
Henry A. Duitsman, Mayor
( � ITEM N0. 5.8
ty of MEMORANDUM
�lk TO: Planning Commission
River
FROM: Gary Schmitz, Planning Assistant C—
DATE: October 24, 1995
SUBJECT: Ordinance Amendment Request by the
City of Elk River, Public Hearing
Case No. OA 95 -15
Request
The City of Elk River is requesting an ordinance amendment which would
establish a minimum garage size of 20 feet by 22 feet, 440 square feet, in
single family zoning districts.
Attachments
is • Ordinance 95 -
Analysis
The City of Elk River is proposing an ordinance amendment which would
establish a minimum garage size in all single family zoning districts. The
proposed ordinance would establish minimum garage size of 20 feet by 22
feet, or 440 square feet in size. The minimum garage area is a mechanism to
ensure that everyone has a suitable garage area to contain a minimum of two
cars, and have a minimal amount of storage space. The existing ordinance
currently requires only a one stall garage a minimum of 10' in width with the
construction of a new home
Recent Construction Activity
Most builders already construct a minimum garage size of 20 feet by 22 feet
on single family dwellings. However, a few builders are constructing garages
20 feet by 20 feet or smaller. Certain vehicles (i.e. a Suburban or full size
extended cab pick up) may not even fit into some of the recently constructed
attached garages. Although a 20 foot by 22 foot garage may not be adequate
in all circumstances, it does go a long way in ensuring that every property
• owner will have adequate garage area. This ordinance amendment is not
meant as a hardship for builders or property owners, however, it is meant to
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441 -7420 • Fax: (612) 441 -7425
• protect future property owners on having adequate garage area. This
ordinance amendment will only affect new construction and will not be
retrofitted into the older neighborhoods where several homes only have a
single stall garage. Therefore this amendment should not cause any undue
hardship on existing properties.
Recommendation
The Planning Commission consider the amendment as proposed and offer
modifications or concurrence with the proposed ordinance.
pc:oa95 -15
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