HomeMy WebLinkAbout4C 3 - 1998 Annual Code Enforcement Report
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
REVIEWED BY:
AGENDA ITEM:
DISCUSSION:
ALTERNATIVES:
RECOMMENDED
MOTION:
REVIEWED BY:
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
March 1, 1999
4C-3 ~
Steven Horsman, Zoning Administrator
Don Rye, Planning Director
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF 1998 CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT
Historv
The purpose of this item is to consider the summary of code enforcement
activity during 1998. The attached Code Complaint and Violation Activity
Report details the type and number of complaints and violations documented
in 1998.
Property appearance and health issues, such as overgrown grass and weeds,
refuse disposal and junk cars, account for over 50% of the complaints and
violations. Most of the other complaints reference land use and code issues,
which may be a result of the lack of knowledge of these codes.
The number of complaints received by staff has increased from 83 in 1994 to
207 in 1998. This amounts to a 149% increase in 5 years. The increase may
be a result of the City's population growth, the City's resolve to enforce
ordinances on a full time basis, and an increased awareness of City Codes by
the residents. Of the 199 violations 17 are pending and 182 are closed files.
Current Circumstances
The Planning Commission reviewed this report at its meeting on Monday,
February 22, 1999. The Planning Commission voted to accept the report and
forward it to the City Council.
1. Accept the report as part of the consent agenda without directing
further action.
A motion and second accepting the report as part of the consent agenda.
Fran
162b:(f~1~1~\9tf~~MA0~~~g~,Cp'r?gr 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:
6C
1998 CODE ENFORCEMENT SUMMARY REPORT
STEVEN HORSMAN, ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
YES -1LNO-N/A
FEBRUARY 12, 1999
INTRODUCTION:
The purpose of this report is to provide the Planning Commission with information regarding the 1998
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:
The unique nature of Prior Lake, Spring Lake and the surrounding shoreland district creates challenging
issues regarding land use and code compliance. The ordinances required to regulate the shoreland district
are many and at times appear cumbersome to a number ofresidents. The main reason for a majority of
shoreland code violations appears to be the residents lack of knowledge regarding these ordinances.
Property appearance and health issue codes such as overgrown grass, refuse disposal and junk cars are of
concern to the neighbors of violators. As a result, a majority of the complaints received by the city staff
are regarding 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.
The following report includes the total number of complaints received. I then subtracted the invalid
complaints that upon inspection were determined to be civil issues or a nonviolation of the code. 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.
Also included is a color coded bar graph chart depicting the code categories in percentages, and a bar
chart depicting the code enforcement activity over a five (5) year period from 1994 through 1998.
In 1998 the city received a total of two hundred seven (207) complaints. When compared with eighty
three (83) complaints in 1994 this amounts to a one hundred forty nine percent (149%) increase over the
past five (5) years. It appears the three main reasons for this dramatic increase includes: 1) the growing
population from 12,559 in 1994 to an estimated 14,758 in 1998; 2) the city's resolve to enforce the code
on a permanent full time basis; 3) the city's efforts to increase the residents awareness of the code
enforcement program through the local newspaper and cable TV media.
16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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 REOUIRED:
A motion and second accepting the report and forwarding to the City Council for information purposes.
City of Prior Lake
Code Complaint & Violation Activity Report
I. Total Complaints for 1998: 207
a) Invalid Complaints (undetermined, civil) (15)
b) Complaint Violations 192
c) Additional Violations 7
II. Total Violations for 1998: 199
100%
a) Overgrown Grass & Weeds 47
b) Disposal of Garbage & Refuse 42
c) Zoning (imperv. surf., shed setbacks, signs) 23
d) Building Without Permit (additions, decks) 19
e) Parking Junk Cars 18
f) Erosion Control (soil erosion) 10
g) Screening, Fences (height, setback) 9
h) Parking Commercial Vehicle (Rl District) 8
i) Excavations Without Permit (shoreland Dist.) 7
j) Public Nuisance (public welfare, R-O-W) 6
k) Animal Control 5
I) Home Occupation w/o Permit 4
m) Abandoned Property 1
24%
21%
12%
10%
9%
5%
4%
4%
3%
3%
2%
2%
1%
The City received a total of two hundred seven (207) complaints in 1998. Upon
inspection one hundred ninety nine (199) apparent violations were discovered. This
amounts to a thirteen percent (13%) activity increase when compared to one
hundred eighty three (183) total complaints in 1997. Of the 207 complaints three (3)
were referred to the Police Department. Invalid complaints totaled fifteen (15) and
included undetermined violations or civil matters unrelated to city codes.
PERCENTAGE
OF
ACTIVITY
;.;~
, li
r'"
1998 CODE VIOLATION ACTIVITY
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
1
TYPE OF CODE VIOLATION
. Grass & Weeds
. Garbage & Refuse
C Zoning Code
C Bldg. w/o Permit
. Junk Cars
III Invalid (undetermind/civil)
. Erosion Control
C Fences
. Commercial Veh. Parking
. Public Nuisance
C Excavations
[J Animal Cont.
. Home Occupancy
.Aband. Property
COMPLAINT ACTIVITY 1994 - 1998
250 . ...-. ....-..... -.... .,,_._....n_ .. ..-.- '..- ....... -......... ....-.... --__
200
en
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D..
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()
150
100
50
o
1994
1996
1995
YEARS
1997
1998