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City Council Minutes <br />February 18, 2020 <br />Page 7 <br />Councilmember Wagner expressed concern limiting vehicles to two in driveways in <br />front yard. She stated some neighborhoods don't have a side yard and there may be <br />kids in the family who also drive. She also discussed summer recreation of <br />Minnesotans. She stated it could be difficult to track time such as whether something <br />has sat for a weekend versus a longer time period. <br />Councilmember Westgaard stated it can be a gray area differentiating between <br />operable and stored vehicles, which should be more clearly defined. <br />Councilmember Christianson stated the recommendations are too restrictive. He <br />stated the term Operable is a key word to define better. <br />Mr. Carlton stated vehicles could be exempted from the ordinance with the focus <br />more on recreational type vehicles. He questioned seasonal storage and asked if <br />parking an RV from October through April would be an issue. <br />Mayor Dietz stated yes. <br />Councilmember Westgaard noted seasonal vehicles will vary depending on the time <br />of year. He also questioned at what point a yard goes from storage to looking like a <br />junk yard. He stated boats should be on trailers and vehicles should have full tires <br />and not be on blocks. He noted regulations can vary throughout the city and the <br />issue may be in the neighborhoods where the lots are much smaller. <br />Council liked the seasonal approach. <br />Mr. Carlton questioned if parking in the rear yard would be okay. <br />Councilmember Westgaard stated he is okay with allowing it and not requiring an <br />approved surface. <br />Mr. Carlton suggested establishing maintenance standard so tall grass and trees don't <br />grow in and around the stored items. <br />Council concurred. <br />Councilmember Christianson stated he is stuck on the seasonal aspect. He stated he <br />is not sure it's right to tell people they can't use their driveway as they see fit, but the <br />give would be allowing use of the back yard. He questioned if Council is going to tell <br />people they can't store their recreational vehicles in their driveway, when they are <br />operable, on an approved surface, and in good repair. <br />Ta s <br />Councilmember Wagner stated she would be surprised if the city approached her and <br />said she couldn't have a tarp in her front yard in an urban area. She stated they <br />should not be permitted for covering junk and debris. <br />0 <br />P 0 N E A E 1 0 r <br />NATUR <br />