09-07-1982 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes September 7, 1982 Page Five The City Administrator indicated that through the zoning ordinance, the City could regulate the development of a mobile home park to allow for playground areas, shelters and parking facilities. Mayor Hinkle indicated that the public's information was well-taken and further indicated that he did not know if the City>could enforce any of the City 's current zoning regulations upon the trailer park now in existence. The City Administrator indicated that the mobile home park was there prior to the adoption of the City's zoning ordinance, but that the City could investigate the possibility of imposing certain requirements upon the mobile home park. Councilman Duitsman indicated that he felt a private developer must come in and develop a mobile home park to solve the problem and further indicated that he felt the marketplace will dictate the need or possibility of another mobile home park within the City of Elk River. Mayor Hinkle asked if the public felt the proposed ordinance amendment would give preferential treatment to agriculture. General discussion was carried on regarding whether a mobile home could be placed in an agricultural area for a hired worker on a farm,.the setback requirements of a mobile home, the question of a mobile vhome being the sole house on the property, or a second- residence on the property, and the time period of two years for the conditional use permit. The City Admin- istrator indicated that it could be the sole residence on the property or a second residence, and it could also be placed with the intent of a permanent home being built on the property as the farm develops. Further discussion was carried on re- garding the tax base established and how mobile homes were taxed. Mr. Cliff Lundberg indicated that if the property is owned, the land is taxed as real estate and the value of the building is included in the real estate tax. If the mobile home is on someone else's property, the mobile home is taxed as personal property. Councilman Schuldt indicated that at the previous Council meeting that this zoning ordinance amendment was discussed, he was the only dissenting vote and further in- dicated that he understood the intent of the ordinance is to preserve the family farm but that he had numerous questions regarding the proposed amendment. Councilman Schuldt indicated that the zoning ordinance requires forty acres where the.principal use of the property is agriculture, but it does not state how much must be used as farming, it may only be ten acres. Councilman Schuldt questioned what agricultural does include: crops only, dairy farms, horses, sheep; and further indicated that he felt it would be a hard time separating hobby farms from agricul- tural business, as hobby farms do have animals and can raiser-crops. Councilman Schuldt asked how many times the two-year conditional use permit could be renewed and could a mobile home be on a property and yet be uninhabited. Councilman Schuldt asked how the user would be monitored: is the intent there, would the mobile home be used for an employee which may not necessarily be perserving the family farm. Councilman Schuldt pointed out the fact that a qualified farm could be in an R-l zone and that the intent of the zoning ordinance is to preserve the family farm now in existence. Councilman Schuldt indicated that he did recognize the intent of the