HomeMy WebLinkAbout7B - 2007 Code Enforcement Activity Report
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4646 Dakota Street S,E,
Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
FEBRUARY 19, 2007
7B
JESSE CORROW, CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A REPORT ON THE 2007 CODE
ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to provide the City Council with information
regarding complaints, code violations, and the code enforcement activity for
the year 2007.
History
This report consists of a year-end summary of the total number of complaints
received and code violations identified in order to provide the Council 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.
Current Circumstances
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.
www.cityofpriorlake.com
Ph6h~9S2,447:9800 / 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.
The Planning Commission considered this year end report on February 11,
2008, and forwarded the report to the City Council with no specific comments.
ISSUES:
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.
Additionally, there are a number of cases that have been referred to the City
Attorney for civil litigation; staff will provide a separate update for these at a
future executive session.
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
There is no financial impact as a result of this report.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council has two alternatives:
1. Accept the code enforcement year end report as part of the consent
agenda.
2. Provide the staff with additional direction.
RECOMMENDED
MOTION:
A motion and second to approve the year-end code enforcement report as part
of the consent agenda is required.
Reviewed by:
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) Storaae of Junk (outdoor) 29 17%
c) Riaht Of Way (blockinq street & sidewalk) 20 12%
d) Parkina Junk Vehicles (outdoor) 18 10%
e) Public Nuisance (erosion control, public welfare, snow) 17 10%
f) Overarown Grass & Weeds (over 12" ht.) 13 7%
a) Sianaae (permit, Dlacement, duration) 12 7%
h) Animal Control (barkinq, runninq, waste) 11 6%
i) Permit Violations (buildinq, setback, qradinq) 10 6%
j) Disposal of Garbaae & Refuse (outdoor) 7 4%
k) Conditional Use Violation (storaqe, Droduct display) 5 3%
I) Residential Use Violation (home occupation, rentinq) 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.
250
200
150
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Exhibit B
Code Violation Activitv
2000 - 2007
50
o
2006
2007
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005