HomeMy WebLinkAbout7A Code Enforcement Rpt
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4646 Dakota Street S.E.
Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
PLANNING REPORT
AGENDA ITEM:
SUBJECT:
PRESENTER:
REVIEWER:
PUBLIC HEARING:
DATE:
7Y1
2007 CODE ENFORCEMENT SUMMARY REPORT
JESSE CORROW, CODE ENFORCEMENT
DANETTE MOORE, PLANNING COORDINATOR
YES ---X- NO-N/A
FEBRUARY 12, 2008
INTRODUCTION:
The purpose of this report is to provide the Planning Commission with information regarding complaints,
code violations, and the code enforcement activity for the year 2007. This report consists of a year-end
summary of the total number of complaints and code violations in order to provide the Planning
Commission with insight that may be useful in evaluating current resident concerns and future regulatory
decisions. A great majority of City residents have pride in their neighborhoods and community. They feel
an obligation to maintain a neat appearance on their respective properties, as well as a concern, that
adjoining properties do the same.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Prior Lake received one hundred eighty-eight (188) complaints in 2007 for an increase of
forty-three percent (43%) compared to the one hundred thirty-two (132) complaints in 2006. Complaints
regarding the Outdoor storage of junk along with vehicles parked in the required yard area topped the list
of confirmed Code violations at twenty-nine (29) apiece. Right Of Way violations including obstructing
the public access to sidewalks and streets totaled twenty (20), followed by eighteen (18) violations for the
outdoor storage of Junk Vehicles. Other violations, such as Public Nuisances (16), overgrown Grass &
Weeds (13), prohibited Sign age (12), Animal Control (11) and Permit violations (10) were common
throughout the year. The remaining sixteen violations are as follows; seven (7) related to Refuse &
Garbage, five (5) Conditional Use violations and four (4) Residential Use violations. It should also be
noted that fourteen (14) additional complaints were received and were determined to be invalid upon
inspection.
The unique nature of Prior Lake, Spring Lake and the surrounding Shoreland District also creates
challenging issues regarding land use and code compliance. The City received only four (4) complaints for
code violations in the Shoreland District and included filling and grading work without permits. Three (3)
of which were handled by staff and one (1) was given directly to the MN DNR.
c:\documents and settings\jcorrow\my documents\07 yea~~fJp~!'lkw.~om
Phone 95:E'ag4-1.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245
The attached statistics sheet (Exhibit A) begins with the total number of complaints received, including
invalid complaints. Invalid complaints are those cases where, upon inspection, it was determined that no
code violation existed, or where the issue was a matter between private property owners. The number of
actual violations was determined upon inspection of the properties and includes secondary or multiple
violations on a subject property. The total number of violations is then broken down and displayed as
code category subtotals. Exhibit B is for year to year comparison.
As of the date of this report, one hundred sixty-five (165) complaint cases have been closed by either
meeting compliance or being deemed invalid. The remaining thirteen (13) cases are pending active
investigations and/or Conditional Use Amendments. Several of the pending cases will not be concluded
until spring.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Accept the report and direct that it be transmitted to the City Council for
information.
2. Accept the report; direct that the report be transmitted to the City Council for
information, and direct further study of possible ordinance revisions in response to
the report.
ACTION REQUIRED:
A motion accepting the report and directing further action revising the report if appropriate.
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City of Prior Lake
Code Complaint & Violation Statistics Report
Exhibit A
I. Total Complaints for 2007:
188
a) Invalid Complaints (undetermined, civil issue)
b) Valid Complaint Violations
(14)
174
(7%)
II. Total Confirmed Code Violations for 2007: 174 100%
START
a) Vehicle Parked in Yard (auto's. recreational) 29 17%
b) Storae:e of .lunk (outdoor) 29 17%
c) Rie:ht Of Wav (blocking street & sidewalk) 20 12%
d) Parkine: .lunk Vehicles (outdoor) 18 10%
e) Public Nuisance (erosion control. public welfare. snow) 17 10%
f) Overe:rown Grass & Weeds (over 12" ht.) 13 7%
e:) Sie:nae:e (permit. placement. duration) 12 7%
h) Animal Control (barking. running. waste) 11 6%
i) Permit Violations (building. setback. grading) 10 6%
n Disposal of Garba2e & Refuse (outdoor) 7 4%
k) Conditional Use Violation (storage. product display) 5 3%
I) Residential Use Violation (home occupation. renting) 4 2%
The City received a total of one hundred eighty eight (188) complaints in the year 2007. This
amounts to a forty-three percent (43%) complaint activity increase when it is compared with one
hundred and thirty-two (132) total complaints in 2006. Of the one hundred eighty-eight (188)
complaints, three (3) violations were referred to the Joint Scott Prosecution Attorney for court
action. Invalid complaints totaled fourteen (14) and included undetermined violations or civil
matters unrelated to city code.
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Exhibit B
Code Violation Activitv
2000 - 2007
250
200
150
100
50
o
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2000
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2006
2007