The Minnesota Fire Code clearly states that any fire apparatus access road shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 feet and that such width shall not be reduced by parked cars at any time. (503.2.1 and 503.5, International Fire Code.) Do any of your Cities enforce that requirement on local residential public streets that are less than 34 feet between curb faces? If not, how do you reconcile the conflict? Does your Fire Chief ever raise the issue? Do any of your Cities enforce that requirement on private residential streets? Same questions. I’ve run into this problem with a client

The city of New Hope is considering implementing a mixed use zoning district for its city center area. As we deal with dimensional and bulk standards, we are considering implementing a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) minimum of 0.5. My question, does your community have a FAR minimum or maximum for its mixed use/downtown area, and if so what is the min/max and how has that played out while working with developers.

Much appreciated!

In the City of Bloomington we regulate video sign brightness to 500 Nits. However, regular signs are not regulated as to the brightness. Recently, we have a large red sign which is so bright it makes the white walls in the bedroom 400 feet away red. We are evaluating options for amendments to prohibit this from occurring. Does anyone regulate general illumination from signs and if how, how is it measured.

The City of Brainerd is looking for cost evaluation models showing a breakdown of revenues and expenses for municipal services by City block or some other workable geographic area. If possible, we’d like to find a suitable method to determine the cost of providing municipal services vs. the amount of revenue received from property taxpayers to provide such services.

The City of Cambridge is looking at adopting a new Subdivision Ordinance. We are interested in requiring all properties that need a building permit to re-plat or remove all old property lines (even if they are lots of record, etc.). We would like to know if there are any communities that do this and how the ordinance language reads. We would like to have the option of Minor Subdivisions where 4 or fewer lots do not require the platting process, but can just be approved administratively. Can anyone tell me how the minor subdivisions read and whether or not the old property lines truly go away without requiring them to plat (how are the smaller parcels being described when the larger parcel is a lot and block)? Thank you.

Marcia Westover, City of Cambridge

The City of New Prague has recently implemented a requirement in our Subdivision Ordinance for Park dedication that requires a developer to install permanent boundary stakes at every other lot corner which clearly identifies the area as public property. In the past we’ve had issues with adjacent property owners extending their mowed lawns and even gardens/fire pits/other improvements into park areas and this would seem to clearly identify the park boundary for both the City and adjacent property owners. What I’m wondering is if any cities that have a similar requirement would be willing to share their sign examples with me (size, text used, etc.). Thanks,

Kenneth D. Ondich

Planning Director

City of New Prague

I’m looking for sign ordinance samples for business districts, specifically ones that sign on sidewalks or may be put into grassy boulevards. Anything on the design/types of signs that may be used would be helpful as well. Please email me at ableess@cityofwinnebago.com with any samples you may have.

Thanks,

Austin Bleess

City Administrator | City of Winnebago

In the past several months, Shakopee has become aware that the Met Council Environmental Services staff has been targeting four or more businesses for SAC audits and assessing additional SAC units. Especially for the smaller businesses that have been audited these costs can be very substantial and tend to inhibit their activity. I am wondering if other Metropolitan area cities have been experiencing this same thing, and if they have, if they have had any success in getting to involve the City up front.

Thanks for any input.

Our Economic Development Authority has asked me to look into the recently passed state statute amendment that allows for brewers taproom licenses. In May, 2011, the Legislature pass a bill that allows local governments to issue a brewers taproom license which allows a small brewery to offer for sale their beer in a taproom at or adjacent to the brewery. Has any other city paid attention to this change and made any modifications to their city ordinances to allow this new license?

Allan Hunting
City Planner
City of Inver Grove Heights

I am wondering if any community or sanitary district has had a request from a funeral home to implement alkaline hydrolysis processing (the liquefaction of human remains – all but bones and teeth – for discharge into the sanitary system)? If so – how have you dealt with this in the context of zoning or neighborhood noticiation? This is a Department of Health licensing process currently. Thanks!

Holly Butcher, AICP

Community Development Director