04-30-07 Item 7A, Planning Case 07-006 Zoning Code for RV's

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...... LI... <( ~ c ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - APRIL 4, 2007 4 had been cited for the RV being stored on his property. She stated Ramsey County Court had not followed through on the citation and Mr. Hagen only paid a $50.00 fine and the trailer still sat on the property. She understood there was some discrepancy in the measurement of the RV. She stated when the RV was a stand-alone as it was now, it should be measured from the front to the back. She stated when the cover was bought for the RV, the cover was over 37 feet long. She indicated the unit was not a small RV and stood 12' 2" high. She indicated if this was a motor home, it would be measured from the front to the back. She noted this was a size of a semi-trailer. She stated Mr. Hagen had done an effective job of going door to door explaining how the City officials had mislead him, but acknowledged ifhe was not allowed to have this unit on his property, he would bring in two smaller vehicles and place them on his property. She believed this RV would decrease her property values also. Colleen Paulus, 1462 Arden Oaks Drive, stated she supported the decision to uphold the Ordinance. She indicated the vehicle was huge and was extremely tall. She expressed concern about the parking surface and access. She asked them to address the height, parking surface, and access. Patrick McDonald, 3620 Pascal Avenue, stated he was in favor ofthe CUP. Mike Hagen, 1540 Arden Place, stated that the applicant had spoken with the City prior to purchasing and he had researched the ordinances. He stated there were nine corresponding professional RV dealers that had stated the Federal Regulation measures the RV's from the king pin to the rear bumper. He noted this was industry standard. He believed the Code was ambiguous. He stated he was a contractor and overhangs on a home was not considered in setbacks and he believed this was a similar situation. He believed the trailer was within the City Code and he asked the Commission to take into consideration that the applicant had worked with the City from the beginning. Chair Sand closed the public hearing at 7:48 p.m. Commissioner Modesette stated her opinion remained unchanged. Commissioner Thompson stated she was of the opinion that the size and the ordinance should really be around the impact. She stated she understood the Federal Road Regulations, but that was a different purpose and she did not believe it applied. She stated they needed to stick with how they measured as stated in the Code. Commissioner Zimmerman inquired as to what City staff had originally told Mr. Hagen. Mr. Lehnhoff responded he does not recall getting that question from Mr. Hagen but it was a possibility he had spoke with someone at the City; unfortunately, there is no way to confirm that. Commissioner Larson stated he had mixed feelings about this. He noted the applicant was told by the City about the 34- foot length and he was told by the dealer this was a 34- foot trailer and he believed the applicant had acted in good faith. However, even a 34- foot length trailer required a CUP and Mr. Hagen failed to apply for the CUP before purchasing the RV. He stated he was not willing to say this was a 34-foot vehicle however.