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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — MAY 16, 2011 12 Ms. Beekman stated she doesn't see an impediment in our ordinance for accessory structures on through lots. She explained our ordinance allows the Staff to determine which is the front yard and which is the rear yard. She added that we may want to move that language into the section of the code currently under review so that it's clear rather than just being included in the definition section. The consensus of the Council was to direct Staff to proceed with the amendment as proposed. 3.E Notification Requirements City Planner Beekman explained that in the last six months, the City has reviewed a number of planning cases that drew the attention of residents. The question of who is notified when a public hearing is to be held was raised by Councilmembers and residents as well as neighboring communities. She explained that state statute requires notification of all property owners within a minimum of 350 feet of a subject property for all public hearings. She then reviewed the notification policy for some of the surrounding communities. She explained that Staff is looking for direction from the Council to establish a City policy that would identify appropriate notification distances. She further explained that for projects Staff anticipates will be controversial, the notification area is extended. She referred to the recent Fox Ridge project when Staff extended the notification to 1,000 feet and beyond. She also explained that if the Council decides to extend the notification area that will result in increased costs which means we may r want to consider raising our fees. Couneilmember Holmes commented that for some applications, such as a variance. she didn't feel going beyond the 350 feet would be warranted, but on larger projects the extended notification would be appropriate. Ms. Beekman explained that there are no requirements for notification of variance applications but the current practice is to notify residents within 350 feet. Couneilmember Holden questioned how often Staff goes beyond the 350 feet notification and indicated that she would like to see the extended notification done on a case -by -case basis. Ms. Beekman responded that anything within the B2 district, she usually does send notification to property owners within 500 feet. For the Arden Plaza petition, because of the interest in that project, the notification was sent to properties within 1,000 feet. Couneilmember Holmes stated she believes the notification should be 1 ,000 feet for projects such as Fox Ridge or Presbyterian Homes. She recalled that at one time the Council had made an informal recommendation for 1.000 foot notification which was followed for a while then stopped. City Administrator Klaers expressed concern that increasing the notification area may necessitate holding hearings at a location other than City Hall because Council Chambers cannot accommodate that many people.