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<br />y q 0 3 ~ 11:.1. Cnmm;.mon <br />~~2 <br />Page 2 <br />Analysis <br /> <br />The current ordinance uses the terminology "metal construction! exterior" pertaining to <br />exterior building finishes. Staff has included two new definitions related to metal finishes on <br />accessory buildings. This is to help clarify the difference between typical metal pole barn <br />construction versus metal lap siding which is typical on many residential homes. The <br />purpose is to separate out the two types of metal construction finishes and to clarify what <br />will be acceptable metal exterior products. <br /> <br />The current ordinance does not allow for any type of membrane (canvas) accessory <br />structures. Upon reviewing the current ordinance and the building code, it was found that <br />the currently available canvas structures cannot meet the wind and snow loads required by <br />the building code. St:a:ff called seven different commercial businesses in Elk River and <br />surrounding communities to see if they carry this type of product and if they met any wind <br />or snow loads. Upon contacting them, only two businesses carried them and neither met the <br />required loads. <br /> <br />Currently accessory structures that are less than 120 square feet do not require a building <br />permit. Once a structure exceeds this square footage, it requires a building permit and it <br />must meet all applicable building codes. The average size of the accessory structures was <br />found to be about 200 square feet, which would place them in a category to require a permit <br />and meet all applicable building codes. From the information given to staff by local <br />businesses, these structures do not meet the code. <br /> <br />According to Appendix Chapter 31 of the Uniform Building Code, membrane structures <br />erected less than 180 days shall comply with applicable provisions of the Fire Code. This <br />states that if it is a temporary structure, it must still meet fire code, which the locally available <br />structures do not appear to do so. Again, if the structure is greater than 120 square feet, it <br />requires a building permit and must meet all applicable building codes. <br /> <br />Staff has prepared two options to regulate these types of accessory structures. <br /> <br />Option A allows them only in the A1 and R1a districts year round and if they exceed 120 <br />square feet, they must meet all applicable building codes. . <br /> <br />Option B allows them only in the A1 and R1a districts but only as a temporary structure not <br />to exceed 180 days in a calendar year. Again, in Option B, if they exceed 120 square feet <br />they must meet all applicable building codes. Option B will create enforcement problems, as <br />it will be difficult to track. these temporary structures to insure they are removed after their <br />allowed time frame. <br /> <br />This topic was presented to the City Council at their November 18th, 2002 meeting and they <br />gave the direction of exploring them as temporary structures. <br /> <br />S:\PLANNING\Case FiIes\OA 02-06 Accessory Struc:tUreS\OA 02-06.DOC <br />