HomeMy WebLinkAbout7B - 2006 Code Inforcement Report
16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E.
Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
PLANNING REPORT
.... .... '.
AGENDA ITEM:
SUBJECT:
PRESENTER:
REVIEWER:
PUBLIC HEARING:
DATE:
7B
2006 CODE ENFORCEMENT SUMMARY REPORT
MICHAEL PETERSON, BUILDING INSPECTOR
DANETTE MOORE, PLANNING COORDINATOR
YES -X....NO-N/A
FEBRUARY 12, 2007
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 2006. This report consists of a year-end
summary of the total numb~r 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 thirty-two (132) complaints in 2006 for a decrease of twenty-
three percent (23%) compared to the one hundred seventy-one (171) complaints in 2005. Overgrown grass
(12") and weed complaints topped the list of violations and totaled twenty-nine (29). Code violations
relating to property appearance and health issues totaled twenty-eight (28) including, illegal storage of
junk and junk vehicles, twenty (20) 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 totaled three (3) ~d includ~d excessive barking, running at large, no waste pickup and
the keeping of more than 3 domestic animals (dogs & cats), followed by six (6) building pemiit violations,
six (6) erosion control complaints, twelve (12) public nuisance, snow on sidewalks, downed trees, etc.,
nine (9) for improper disposal of garbage and refuse and eight (8) for parking commercial vehicles in an
R-l residential neighborhood. The remaining fifteen (15) are as follows; ten (10) invalid complaints, two
(2) for fence violations, two (2) for hom~ occupation, and one (1) for illegal grading in {he Shoreland
District.
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 three (3) complaints
for code violations in the Shoreland District and included filling and grading work without permits. One
was h/ID.dled by staff two (2) were given directly to the MN DNR.
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www.cityofpriorlake.com
Phone 952;'~71.4230 / 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 twenty-seven (127) complaint cases have been closed with the
average time required to document, investigate, and enforce compliance of a violation being thirteen (13)
days. The remaining five (5) cases are pending active investigations and/or under enforcement
proceedings. One (1) 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 2006:
132
a) Not valid Complaints (undetermined, civil issue)
b) Valid Complaint Violations
(10)
122
II. Total Code Violations for 2006: 132 100%
START
a) Zonin!! Ord. (driveways. vehicle parking. sheds. signs) 20 IS%
b) Overl!rown Grass & Weeds (over 12" ht.) 29 22%
c) Parkin!! Junk Vehicles (outdoor stora!!e) 13 11%
d) Disposal of Garba!!e & Refuse (outdoor storage) 9 7%
e) Animal Control (barking. running. waste) 3 2%
n Storal!e of Junk (outdoor storage) IS 11%
!!) Public Nuisance (public welfare. clean sidewalks) 12 9%
h) Screeninl!. Fences (height. location. visibility) 2 1%
i) Buildin!! Permit Violations (accessory bldg.. decks) 6 6%
j) Shore land District (Excavations. ImP. Surface) 1 NA
k) Home Occupation (permitted uses) 2 1%
1) Erosion Control (soil erosion silt fence) 2 1%
m) Parkinl! Commercial Vehicle (R1 District) 8 6%
n) Invalid Complaints (no violation found) 10 8%
The City received a total of one thirty-two (132) complaints in the year 2006. This amounts
to a twenty-three percent (23%) complaint activity decrease when it is compared with one hundred
and seventy-one (171) total complaints in 200S. Of the one hundred thirty-two (132) complaints
three (3) were referred to the appropriate City department or other government agency. One (1)
violation was referred to the Scott Joint Prosecution Association for court action. Invalid
complaints totaled ten (10) and included undetermined violations or civil matters unrelated to city
codes.
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EXHIBIT B
CODE VIOLA nON ACTIVITY
2000 - 2006
250
o
2000
2002
2006
2003
2004
2005
2001
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