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2019-10-28 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the City Council Work Session Held October 28, 2019 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a work session of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota was held at the City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Garlock called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. Councilmembers Duggan, Miller, Paper and Petschel were also present. City staff present included Mark McNeill, City Administrator; Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator; Tim Benetti, Community Development Director; and Lorri Smith, City Clerk. CODE AMENDMENT -FLOOR AREA RATIO (FAR) STANDARDS IN INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT Community Development Director Tim Benetti reviewed the Code requirements for the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) standards that are in place for the Industrial Zone. He provided the Council with additional information that gave a broad overview of the FAR and how to apply the standards. The Council discussed this regulation at the October 2, 2019 Council meeting and tabled the item for further discussion a future work session. Councilors Duggan and Miller each expressed concern that this requirement was not brought to the Council's attention earlier, when the Council approved Ordinance 538 which approved personal self -storage use as a conditional use in the Industrial District. Mr. Benetti stated that that ordinance focused on use, not on the specific project. At that time, staff did not have detailed information about the proposed project. Councilor Duggan stated that the FAR standard has been around for a long time and does not believe it should be deleted from the Code. The FAR standard allows the city to be spacious and light. Councilor Paper stated he does not see a large difference between two floors and three floors to a building in the Industrial Park. Councilor Miller stated he sees this as spot zoning. Mr. Benetti replied that this is not spot zoning since the change would be applied to the entire Industrial District zone. Councilor Petschel stated that she was not in favor of allowing self -storage as a use in the Industrial District, and she does also not want to change the City Code to delete the FAR regulations. She stated she believes the approved uses and the FAR are good planning tools for the Industrial District. After discussion, the Council directed staff to bring this ordinance forward at the next City Council meeting for official action. DISCUSS REVISIONS TO ORDINANCE REGARDING DOMESTIC CHICKENS Mr. Benetti reviewed with the Council a proposed Ordinance to amend the City Code regarding the keeping of chickens in the City. He stated that the proposal is to change the number of chickens that can be kept by a resident from four to six female chickens. It would allow the Zoning Administrator, along with the Animal Warden, to enter upon a private premises when there is a reasonable cause to believe the chickens are being mistreated or pose a threat. It would allow for the waste or litter to be composted. It would require that the coop structure be removed within 30 days if the applicant no longer has chickens on the property. The Code would also allow for a larger coop, up to 200 square feet, due to the larger number of chickens allowed. The Council had no issues with the proposed ordinance. This ordinance will be presented to the Planning Commission for their review. DISCUSS ORDINANCE REGARDING THE TEMPORARY KEEPING OF GOATS FOR GRAZING Mr. Benetti reviewed with the Council proposed changes to the City Code to allow for the temporary keeping of goats for grazing. The goats can be used for the control of invasive plantings, particularly buckthorn vegetation. A property owner would be allowed a temporary permit, usually up to 30 days, although it would depend on the size of the property to be taken care of. The Council discussed requiring written permission from the neighbors, perimeter fencing height, and a setback restriction from bodies of water. The Council was in agreement to bring this proposed ordinance to a future Council meeting. OTHER DISCUSS CODE REGULATION OF PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR CRITICAL AREA PERMITS The Council discussed the Code language that requires two public hearings for granting of a critical area permit. Current code language states that that Planning Commission and the City Council must each hold a public hearing before granting a critical area permit. The Councilors were in agreement to require only one public hearing. Councilor Miller questioned why the Council would not be the body to hold the public hearing. Councilor Petschel stated she felt the Planning Commission should hold the public hearing due to the fact that they need complete information to make a good recommendation to the Council. Oct 28, 2019 City Council Work Session page 2 of 3 This proposed Code change will be brought to a future Council meeting. ADULT USES Mr. Benetti stated that he has received an inquiry about adult uses in Mendota Heights. This proposed Code change will be brought to a future Council meeting. I_���L�I�1711 The meeting was adjourned at 5:05 pm. Lorri Smith, City Clerk 1�'&o 6,Z: f Neil Garlock, Mayor Oct 28, 2019 City Council TT�ork Session page 3 of 3