HomeMy WebLinkAbout4B - 1999 Code Enforcement
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
AGENDA ITEM:
DISCUSSION:
ALTERNATIVES:
RECOMMENDED
MOTION:
REVIEWED BY:
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
May 1, 2000
4B
Steven Horsman, Zoning AdministratorlInspector
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF 1999 CODE ENFORCEMENT
REPORT
History
The purpose of this item is to consider the summary of code
enforcement activity during 1999. A copy of the summary report
received by the Planning Commission is attached to this report.
Current Circumstances
The Planning Commission voted to accept the report at its meeting on
Monday, March 27,2000, and forward it to the City Council with no
recommendations for ordinance changes. Attached are the Planning
Commission minutes ofthat meeting.
The following four pages summarize 1999 code enforcement activity.
1. The City Council could accept the report as part of the consent
agenda without directing further action.
2. The City Council could accept the report and direct further study of
code revisions.
A motion and second accepting the report as part of the consent
agenda.
162(iOdOmlf!~e.ooE.. Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
PLANNING REPORT
AGENDA ITEM:
SUBJECT:
PRESENTER:
PUBLIC HEARING:
DATE:
6B
1999 CODE ENFORCEMENT SUMMARY REPORT
STEVEN HORSMAN, ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
_ YES --LNO-N/A
MARCH 27, 2000
INTRODUCTION:
The purpose of this report is to provide the Planning Commission with information regarding the 1999
code enforcement activity. This information consists of a year end summary on the total number of
complaints and code violations to provide the Commission with insight that maybe useful in evaluating
current resident concerns and future regulatory decisions.
DISCUSSION:
Zoning Ordinance violations were the highest percentage of violations this year and included improper
recreational vehicle parking, shed location and setbacks, vehicles parked in required yard areas and signs
erected without permits. In addition, property appearance and health issue codes such as overgrown grass,
refuse disposal and junk cars were of a concern to residents. As a result, a majority of the complaints
received by the City staff regarded these issues. Most residents have great pride in their neighborhoods
and communities, and feel an obligation to maintain a neat appearance on their
respective properties as well as the adjacent properties.
Also, the unique nature of Prior Lake, Spring Lake and the surrounding Shoreland Districts create
challenging issues regarding land use and code compliance. The main reason for a majority of shoreland
code violations appears to be the residents lack of knowledge regarding these ordinances including
impervious surface area requirements and excavating/filling on lots within the district.
The following summary report begins with the total number of complaints received. I then subtracted the
invalid complaints, or those that upon inspection, were not determined to be code violations or were
considered to be civil issues. The remaining number consists of the total apparent violations discovered
upon inspection, including multiple or additional violations. The total number of violations are then
displayed as code category subtotals. To date 210 cases have been closed and 28 cases are pending. The
average time required to close a file is approximately 26 days. In addition, I have included a color coded
graph depicting the code enforcement activity over a six (6) year period from 1994 through 1999.
In 1999 the city received a total of two hundred and thirty eight (238) complaints. This amounts to a one
hundred and eighty seven percent (187%) increase over the past six years (6) when compared with eighty
three (83) complaints in 1994. It appears the three main reasons for this dramatic increase include: 1) the
16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
_._.._--------~--.---
growing population from 12,559 in 1994 to 14,687 in 1998; 2) the City's resolve to enforce the code on a
permanent full time basis; and 3) the City's efforts to increase the residents awareness of the code
enforcement program through the local newspaper and cable TV media.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Accept the report and direct it to be transmitted to the City Council for
information.
2. Accept the report, direct it to be transmitted to the City Council for information,
and direct further study of possible ordinance revisions in response to the report.
ACTION REOUIRED:
A motion and second accepting the report and forwarding it to the City Council for information purposes.
City of Prior Lake
Code Complaint & Violation Activity Summary Report
I. Total Complaints for 1999: 238
a) Invalid Complaints (undetermined, civil) (12)
b) Complaint Violations 226
c) Additional Violations (discovered at inspection) 33
II. Total Violations for 1999: 259
100%
a) Zoning Ord. (rec.veh.parking, sheds, signs) 44
b) Disposal of Garbage & Refuse (outdoor storage) 36
c) Parking Junk Vehicles (outdoor storage) 32
d) Overgrown Grass & Weeds (over 12") 31
e) Public Nuisance (public welfare, shovel sidewalks) 22
t) Building Permit Violations (accessory bldg., decks) 15
g) Storage of Junk (outdoor storage) 15
h) Screening, Fences (height, location, visibility) 14
i) Erosion Control (soil erosion silt fence) 14
j) Excavations Without Permit (Shoreland Dist.) 9
k) Animal Control (barking, leash, waste) 8
I) Parking Commercial Vehicle (Rl District) 6
m) Subdivision Ordinance (sewer & water, sod & trees) 5
n) Home Occupation w/o Permit 4
0) Combustion Engines (operation, off-road vehicles) 3
p) Abandoned Property (vehicle in R-O-W) 1
17%
14%
12%
12%
8%
6%
6%
5%
5%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%
The City received a total of two hundred thirty eight (238) complaints in 1999.
Upon inspection two hundred fifty nine (259) apparent violations were discovered.
This amounts to a fourteen percent (14%) activity increase when compared with
two hundred and seven (207) total complaints in 1998. Of the 238 complaints fifteen
(15) were referred to the appropriate city department or other government agencies.
Invalid complaints totaled twelve (12) and included undetermined violations or civil
matters unrelated to city codes.
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B. Annual Complaint Report.
Zoning Administrator Steve Horsman presented the Planning Report dated March 27,
2000 on file in the office of the City Planner.
In 1999 the City received a total of238 complaints. The highest percentage of violations
were improper recreational vehicle parking, shed locations and setbacks. The second
highest number of complaints were for property appearance and health code issues.
Criego:
. Substantial increase from 1994 and 1995. What happens to the 10% unclosed files?
. Horsman responded half of those are probably closed the other half are taken to court.
. Concern for lighting beyond the property lines. Does the City plan on taking any
action on those lighting issues? Horsman said it is staffs intention to do so.
V onhof:
. What remedies does the City get going to District Court? Horsman explained the
fines and the Court's dealing on the issues.
MOTION BY VONHOF, SECOND BY ATWOOD, TO ACCEPT THE REPORT AND
FORWARD TO THE CITY COUNCIL.
Vote taken indicated ayes by all. MOTION CARRIED.
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