HomeMy WebLinkAbout5C - Code Enforcement Rpt 2003
16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E.
Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
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DISCUSSION:
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
APRIL 5, 2004
5C
STEVEN HORSMAN, BUILDING INSPECTOR
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE 2003 CODE
ENFORCEMENT YEAREND REPORT
History: 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 2003. This report consists of a year-
end summary of the total number of complaints and code violations 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.
The City of Prior Lake received one hundred ninety-two (192)
complaints in 2003 which was an increase of twenty-five percent
(25%) compared to the one hundred fifty-four (154) complaints in
2002. Upon inspection, staff discovered a total of two hundred thirty-
five (235) violations on the subject properties. Code violations relating
to property appearance and health issues topped the list of violations
and included thirty-two (32) illegal storage of junk and junk vehicles,
twenty-nine (29) improper recreational vehicle parking or vehicles
parked in required yard areas, and accessory structures (sheds) not
meeting required setbacks to property lines. Animal control
complaints also totaled twenty-nine (29) and included excessive
barking, running at large, no waste pickup and the keeping of more
than 3 domestic animals (dogs & cats). Overgrown grass (12") and
weed complaints totaled twenty-eight (28), followed by twenty-seven
(27) improper disposal of garbage and refuse. Zoning district use
violations totaled eighteen (18) and included noncompliant home
occupations and non-permitted uses within a particular zoning district.
The unique nature of Prior Lake, Spring Lake and the surrounding
Shore land District also creates challenging issues regarding land use
and code compliance. The main reason for a majority of Shoreland
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District code violations appears to be the resident's lack of knowledge
regarding these ordinances including impervious surface area
requirements, and the excavating/filling/grading on lots within the
district. The City received twelve (12) complaints for code violations
in the Shoreland District and included filling and grading work without
permits.
The attached statistics sheet (Exhibit A) begins with the total number
of complaints received, less the invalid complaints. Invalid complaints
are those cases where, upon inspection, it was determined that no code
violation existed, or where the issue was a civil 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.
As of the date of this report, one hundred sixty (160) complaint cases
have been closed with the average time required to document,
investigate, and enforce compliance of a violation was forty-two (42)
days. The remaining thirty-two (32) cases are pending active
investigations and/or under enforcement proceedings. On seven (7) of
the pending cases citations/summons were issued (criminal
enforcement action) and the files have been referred to the Scott Joint
Prosecution Association for court action.
Also, this year we have worked with the city attorney to develop a
process to secure "administrative search warrants". This procedure
would allow us permission to inspect a property where there are
suspected serious health and safety code violations or believe the
property is dangerous to the public welfare.
Current Circumstances: The Planning Commission considered this
year end report on March 8, 2004, and forwarded the report to the City
Council with no specific comments.
Conclusion: The Planning Commission and the staff recommend
acceptance 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: The staff recommends Alternative #1.
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REVIEWED BY:
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