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Park Rapids City Zoning Code

ADMINISTRATION

§ 151.240 ZONING ADMINISTRATOR.

   (A)   The position of Zoning Administrator is hereby established. The Zoning Administrator shall be appointed by the Park Rapids City Council and shall serve at its pleasure. The Zoning Administrator shall receive compensation as the City Council may, from time to time, determine.
   (B)   The Zoning Administrator shall:
      (1)   Act as inspector for the City of Park Rapids;
      (2)   Inspect all construction and development to ensure that the standards of this chapter are complied with;
      (3)   Enforce and administer the provisions of this chapter;
      (4)   Issue permits for permitted uses and/or activities that comply with the provisions of the chapter;
      (5)   Receive applications for conditional use permits and forward, along with recommendations, to the Planning Commission;
      (6)   Receive applications for variance requests and forward, along with recommendations, to the Board of Adjustment;
      (7)   Receive applications for zoning amendments and forward, along with recommendations, to the Planning Commission;
      (8)   Maintain all records relating to the application for and deliberations relating to the issuance or denial of permits;
      (9)   Develop and maintain a public information bureau relating to local development issues; and
      (10)   Maintain the official zoning map as described in §§ 151.040 et seq.
(Prior Code, § 66-241) (Ord. passed 1994)

§ 151.241 PERMITS.

   (A)   Permits shall be required for the following permitted activities: building construction, alteration or demolition; signs; sewage treatment systems in shoreland areas; and grading or filling in shoreland areas.
   (B)   All contractors, subcontractors, builders or other persons having charge of the erection, alteration, moving, change or remodeling of any building or structure shall apply for a building permit from the Park Rapids Building Inspector before beginning or undertaking the work. After the appropriate fee has been paid, and if the proposed work does not conflict with any portion of the Park Rapids Zoning Chapter or Building Code, the permit shall be granted. If the permit is not granted, the reasons for the denial will be provided, in writing, to the applicant.
   (C)   All building permit applications shall be examined and processed within 30 days of receipt of all information needed to process the application.
      (1)   Application for a building permit shall be made to the Building Inspector on blank forms to be provided by the city. Each application for a permit to construct, alter, move or demolish a building shall be accompanied by a plan, drawn to scale, showing: the dimensions of the lot where the activity will occur; and the size and location of the buildings and accessory building. Applications for building permits shall contain other information as may be deemed necessary for the proper enforcement of this chapter.
      (2)   Permits for the installation of sewage treatment systems or grading and filling in shoreland areas must also be obtained from the Zoning Administrator before the installation or shoreland alteration has begun.
      (3)   Permits for the construction or placement of signs must be obtained from the Zoning Administrator before the construction or placement shall be allowed.
      (4)   (a)   All building, sign, sanitary, excavation, and related permits shall expire 1 year from the date of approval if construction has not started.
         (b)   A request for an extension may be considered by the Board of Adjustment pursuant to M.S. 462, as it may be amended from time to time.
(Prior Code, § 66-242) (Ord. passed 1994) Penalty, see § 151.999

§ 151.242 PLANNING COMMISSION.

   (A)   There is hereby created a Planning Commission consisting of 5 members. The members of the Planning Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor consistent with the Planning Commission bylaws as adopted by the Park Rapids City Council. The Planning Commission now in existence shall continue as presently constituted.
   (B)   The Planning Commission shall elect a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson from among its members. It shall adopt rules or bylaws for the transaction of its business and shall keep a permanent public record of its proceedings, findings and determinations. The Planning Commission shall cause all records of its proceedings, findings, and determinations to be filed at the Park Rapids city hall.
   (C)   (1)   The Planning Commission shall be advisory in nature, and shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council.
      (2)   In this advisory role the Planning Commission shall:
         (a)   Assist the City Council in the formulation of goals, policies, and programs for the future development of the City of Park Rapids;
         (b)   Assist the City Council in the preparation of development controls designed to promote development consistent with adopted goals and policies;
         (c)   Review applications for conditional use permits and chapter amendments, conduct public hearings in accordance with the provisions of the chapter, and make recommendations to the City Council;
         (d)   Review subdivision proposals for compliance with the provisions of this chapter, conduct public hearings, and forward final plat along with recommendation to the City Council; and
         (e)   Any other duties as required or requested by the City Council to further goals and policies in furtherance of the intent of this chapter.
(Prior Code, § 66-243) (Ord. passed 1994)

§ 151.243 CONDITIONAL USE OR INTERIM USE PERMITS.

   (A)   General. Any use listed as a conditional use or an interim use in this chapter shall be permitted only upon application to the Zoning Administrator, review and recommendation of the Planning Commission, approval and issuance of a Conditional Use (CUP) or Interim Use Permit (IUP) by the City Council, and only after additional approval required under any other governmental jurisdictions. The applicant for a CUP or IUP shall fill out and submit to the Zoning Administrator an application for a CUP or IUP. When the permit is submitted, the appropriate fee shall be paid in order for the application to be considered complete and receive consideration by the Planning Commission. A thorough site evaluation shall be conducted by City Planning Staff, the Zoning Administrator and, as applicable, the Planning Commission, prior to consideration of the permit by the City Council. An applicant seeking a CUP or IUP for a use existing as a lawful preexisting, legal nonconforming use shall, upon approval of such permit, be subject exclusively to the terms and conditions of the CUP or IUP thereafter. An applicant's acceptance of the conditions of the CUP or IUP shall constitute an intentional waiver of the rights applicable to the nonconforming use and agreement that the use shall be controlled by the terms and conditions of the permit, including the cessation of the use upon revocation of the permit.
   (B)   Required findings of facts. In considering the granting of any CUP or IUP throughout the city, the Planning Commission shall during its public hearing consider and include in its recommendation to the City Council, findings of fact on the effect of the proposed use upon:
      (1)   The maintenance of the public health, safety, welfare, morals, and convenience of the occupants of the surrounding land;
      (2)   The traffic conditions and parking on adjacent streets and land and existing and proposed access roads;
      (3)   Its compatibility with adjacent land uses and impacts on surrounding property;
      (4)   Its compatibility with the community's Comprehensive Plan and/or Land Use Plan; and
      (5)   Whether adequate utility, drainage and other such necessary facilities have been or can be provided.
   (C)   Considerations. In considering the granting of any CUP or IUP throughout the City of Park Rapids, the Planning Commission and City Council shall evaluate the effect of the proposed use upon:
      (1)   The maintenance of the public health, safety and welfare;
      (2)   The location of the site with respect to existing and proposed access roads;
      (3)   Its compatibility with adjacent land uses;
      (4)   Its compatibility with the intent of the zoning district in which such use is proposed;
      (5)   Its compatibility with the objectives of this chapter and its consistency with the City of Park Rapids Future Land Use Plan.
      (6)   The ability to provide pedestrian and bicycle access, as noted in the site plan, to any customer/tenant ingress/egress of the building, including from a public right-of-way and off-street parking area that serves the use in a manner which minimizes nonvehicular/vehicular conflicts.
   (D)   Shoreland Review Criteria. In considering the granting of any CUP or IUP in shoreland areas, the Planning Commission and City Council shall evaluate the effect of the proposed use upon:
      (1)   The prevention and control of water pollution, including sedimentation and nutrient loading;
      (2)   Existing topography and drainage features and vegetative cover on the site;
      (3)   The location of the site with respect to floodplains and floodways of river or tributaries;
      (4)   The erosion potential of the site based upon the degree and direction of slope, soil type, and existing vegetative cover;
      (5)   The need for the proposed use for a shoreland location;
      (6)   The amount of liquid waste to be generated and the adequacy of the proposed sewage treatment system where city public utilities are available, and the adequacy of the site for individual well water supply and on-site sewage treatment systems if city utilities are not otherwise available;
      (7)   The visibility of structures and other facilities as viewed from public waters;
      (8)   Adequacy of the site for water supply and on-site sewage treatment systems; and
      (9)   The types, uses and numbers of watercraft that the project will generate in relation to the suitability of public waters to safely accommodate these watercraft.
   (E)   Applicable Conditions and Requirements. Upon consideration of the factors listed above, the Planning Commission may attach conditions, in addition to those required elsewhere in this chapter, which it deems necessary for the furtherance of the purposes set forth in this chapter. Such conditions attached to a CUP or IUP may include, but shall not be limited to the following:
      (1)   Increased yards and setbacks;
      (2)   Periods and/or hours of operation;
      (3)   Minimum number of off-street parking spaces;
      (4)   Type of construction;
      (5)   Deed restrictions;
      (6)   Landscaping and vegetative screening;
      (7)   Type and extent of shore cover;
      (8)   Specified sewage treatment and water supply facilities;
      (9)   Location of signs, parking, docks, and piers;
      (10)   Limitations on odor, dust, noise, and light pollution;
      (11)   Adequate access for all pedestrians, including those using wheelchairs or any other mobility aid, subject to requirements of the Minnesota State Accessibility Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act;
      (12)   Requirement to notify the Planning Staff and Commission within 30 days of the transfer of ownership of a property subject to a conditional/interim use permit; and
      (13)   Any other reasonable requirements necessary to fulfill the purposes and intent of this chapter.
   (F)   Required Application Information. An applicant for a CUP or IUP may be required to furnish to the city Planning Staff, in addition to the information required for the building or other permit, the following:
      (1)   A plan of the proposed project area showing contours, soil types, ordinary high water level, ground water conditions, bedrock, slope, and vegetative cover;
      (2)   Location of existing and proposed buildings, parking areas, traffic access, driveways, walkways, piers, open spaces, and vegetative cover;
      (3)   Plans of buildings, sewage treatment facilities, water supply systems, and arrangements of operations;
      (4)   Specifications for areas of proposed grading, filling, lagooning, dredging, or other topographic alterations; and
       (5)   Other pertinent information necessary to determine if the proposal meets the requirements and intent of this chapter.
   (G)   Outside Agency Expertise. The Planning Commission and the City Council, in evaluating each CUP or IUP, application may request the Hubbard County Soil and Water Conservation District, or other qualified entity, to make available expert assistance to assist in the evaluation and consideration of the application.
   (H)   Procedural Requirements. The procedure for applying for a CUP or IUP is as follows:
      (1)   An applicant desiring a CUP or IUP shall fill out and submit to the Zoning Administrator a completed Conditional/Interim Use Permit Request form, copies of which are available from the City Planning Office. The appropriate fee shall be paid in accordance with the fee schedule contained in Chapter 36 of this Code and a complete application shall be made in order for the application to receive consideration by the Planning Commission.
      (2)   The Zoning Administrator shall make a written recommendation to the Planning Commission and schedule a public hearing to be conducted in accordance with the approved submission and meeting schedule application processing calendar.
      (3)   The Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing in accordance with M.S. §§ 462.3595 or 462.3597, as applicable, and the provisions of this chapter.
      (4)   The Planning Commission will forward its recommendation to the City Council for consideration in accordance with the approved submission and meeting schedule application processing calendar. If it recommends approval of the CUP or IUP, the Commission may recommend conditions it considers necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
      (5)   Pursuant to M.S. § 15.99, the City Council will act upon the request within 60 days from receipt of the application, unless an extension is required. The City Council may, at its discretion, extend the review period by no more than 60 additional days, provided that the Zoning Administrator notifies the applicant, in writing of the reason for such extension. The City Council may affirm, deny or modify the recommendation provided by the Planning Commission. If it grants the CUP or IUP the City Council may impose reasonable conditions it considers necessary to protect intent and purpose of the public health, safety, and welfare.
      (6)   For IUP, such conditions shall include a date, time limit and/or event that will terminate the use to exist or operate.
      (7)   If a time limit or periodic review is included as a condition by which a CUP or IUP is granted, the CUP or IUP may be reviewed at a public hearing with notice of said hearing published at least 10 days prior to the review. It shall be the responsibility of the Zoning Administrator, or designee, to schedule such public hearings and the owner of land having a CUP or IUP shall be required to pay a fee for said review according to the fee schedule found in Chapter 36 of this code. A formal public hearing process for review of CUP or IUP may be waived by the city at the time of the required review, at the city's discretion, if a public hearing is not warranted.
      (8)   CUPs and IUPs issued shall be recorded in the office of the Hubbard County Recorder as per Minnesota statutes. CUP approval authority shall run with the land and IUP approval authority shall run with the applicant.
      (9)   The Zoning Administrator shall maintain a record of all CUPS and IUP issued including information on the use, location, and conditions imposed by the City Council, time limits, review dates, and other such information as may be appropriate.
   (I)   Conditional or Interim Use Permit Expirations.
      (1)   A CUP or IUP shall expire and become void if the use it allows is not substantially started within 12 months from its date of issuance. A substantial start means more than preliminary steps have been taken and such that preparations to initiate the use are mostly complete, including but not limited to the issuance of a building permit, grading permit, or demolition permit. The City Council may, upon written request of the owner, and favorable recommendations by the Planning Commission, grant an extension to this deadline not to exceed an additional 12 months for each such request.
      (2)   In addition to the foregoing, an IUP expires and the interim use must terminate at the earlier of:
         (a)   The expiration date established by the City Council at the time of approval, but in no event more than 5 years from the date of approval;
         (b)   The occurrence of any event identified in the IUP for the termination of the use; or
         (c)   Upon an amendment of the city code that no longer allows the interim use.
      (3)   IUP also expire if the interim use ceases operation for a continuous period of 1 year or longer.
   (J)   Amendments/Modifications. Any change in use not specifically permitted by the original CUP or UP issued shall require an amended CUP or IUP issued according to the following procedures for either a Major Permit Modification or a Minor Permit Modification, as applicable. The Zoning Administrator shall have the final decision as to whether the requested amendment is a Major Permit Modification or a Minor Permit Modification.
   (K)   Minor Permit Modifications. Minor Permit Modifications shall be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator for approval, rejection, denial, or classification as a Major Permit Modification. The Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission may require any minor permit modification to follow the Major Permit Modification procedures. Approved Minor Permit Modifications will be presented to the City Council as an amendment to the existing CUP or UP, and the amendment shall be recorded as a modification to the original CUP or UP with the Hubbard County Recorder. To be reviewed through the administrative process, Minor Permit Modifications shall meet the following criteria:
      (1)   Sites shall be in nonresidential zoning districts and shall not abut any residentially zoned property.
      (2)   All sites must be legal parcels of record at the time of application under this section and shall not contain more than 1 principal use on the parcel.
      (3)   All permit modification proposals shall meet or exceed the current standards of all applicable codes, ordinances, and policies and shall not be seeking any variances from those standards.
      (4)   Intensification of previously permitted conditional, interim, special uses, or variances may be allowed as a Minor Permit Modification provided the intensification does not result in a net increase greater than 20% of the existing use, impervious surface area, structure, parking improvements, or other quantifiable use of the existing parcel or existing and adjoining parcel, as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
      (5)   All applications for permit modifications shall be complete and in full compliance with all the requirements of division (H)(1) of this section.
      (6)   Approval of site plan and full application by the Zoning Administrator.
   (L)   Major Permit Modifications. A Major Permit Modification includes any amendment or change not classified as a Minor Permit Modification. Major Permit Modifications shall follow the process and requirements for a new CUP or IUP pursuant to division (H) of this section and shall be further subject to and processes as follows:
      (1)   All Major Permit Modifications applications shall include a copy of the original CUP or IUP.
      (2)   City Planning staff shall make a recommendation to the Planning Commission if the original CUP or IUP shall be amended, replaced, or repealed in its entirety.
      (3)   The Planning Commission recommendation to Council must also address whether the original CUP or IUP shall be amended, replaced, or repealed in its entirety.
      (4)   The City Council shall act upon the new request by either: (1) repealing the existing CUP or UP in its entirety; (2) repealing the existing CUP or IUP and replacing it with a new CUP or IUP; or (3) amending the existing CUP or IUP.
(Prior Code, § 66-244) (Ord. passed 1994; Am. Ord. 598, passed 1-28-2020)

§ 151.244 BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT.

   (A)   There is hereby established a Board of Adjustment vested with the authority as is hereinafter provided, and as provided in M.S. Chapter 462, as it may be amended from time to time. The City Council shall act as the Park Rapids Board of Adjustment.
   (B)   The Board of Adjustment shall elect a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson from among its members. It shall adopt rules or bylaws, for the transaction of its business and shall keep a permanent record of its proceedings, findings, and determinations. The Board of Adjustment shall cause all records of its proceedings, findings and determinations to be filed at the Park Rapids city hall.
   (C)   The meeting of the Board of Adjustment shall be held as specified in the rules or bylaws, and at other times as the Chairperson of the Board of Adjustment shall deem necessary and appropriate.
   (D)   The Board of Adjustment shall have the exclusive power concerning the following:
      (1)    To hear and decide any appeal from an order, requirement, decision, or determination made by the Zoning Administrator;
      (2)   To interpret any management district boundary on the official zoning map;
      (3)   All decisions by the Board of Adjustment in granting variances, or in hearing any appeals from administrative order, requirement, decision or determination shall be final except that any aggrieved person, department, agency, Board of Commission shall have the right to appeal to the District Court within 30 days after receipt of the notice of the decision made by the Board of Adjustment.
   (E)   The Board of Adjustment and Appeals authorizes the Planning Commission, in its advisory role, to make the necessary findings for variances and appeals. The Board of Adjustment maintains authority to grant variances from the strict enforcement of standards and provisions prescribed by this chapter. Variances shall only be granted based upon the criterion prescribed in § 151.245 of this chapter.
(Prior Code, § 66-245) (Ord. passed 1994; Am. Ord. 364, passed 5-14-2002)

§ 151.245 VARIANCES AND APPEALS.

   (A)   (1)   The Park Rapids Board of Adjustment shall have the exclusive power to order the issuance of variances from the terms of any official controls including restrictions placed on non-conformities. A variance is a modification or variation of the provisions of an official control to a specific piece of property.
      (2)   Pursuant to M.S. § 462.357, Subd. 6, as it may be amended from time to time, the Board of Adjustment may only grant applications for variances where practical difficulties in complying with the official controls exist and each of the following criteria are satisfied:
         (a)   The variance is in harmony with the general purposes and intent of the zoning ordinance;
         (b)   The variance is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan;
         (c)   The property owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by the zoning ordinance;
         (d)   The plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by the landowner; and
         (e)   The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality.
         Economic considerations alone do not constitute practical difficulties. Practical difficulties include, but are not limited to, inadequate access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems.
      (3)   The Planning Commission, at the public hearing must make an affirmative finding on all of the 5 criteria listed in division (2) above in order to recommend the granting of a variance to the Board of Adjustment. The applicant for a variance has the burden of proof to show that all of the criteria listed above have been satisfied. A variance shall not be granted for a use that is not permitted under this chapter. A variance may be granted to temporarily permit the use of a one-family dwelling as a two-family dwelling.
      (4)   Variances shall be granted for earth shelter construction as defined in M.S. § 216C.06, Subd. 14, when in harmony with this chapter.
      (5)   The Planning Commission may recommend that the Board impose conditions upon a variance that relate to the purposes and objectives of this chapter. The Board of Adjustment may impose conditions and the variance shall not be effective until the conditions are fully complied with. A condition imposed in a variance must be directly related to and must bear a rough proportionality to the
impact created by the variance. A conditional variance shall be in effect only as long as the condition is complied with. If a condition is not complied with, the variance may be revoked and the city may pursue the enforcement remedies set forth in § 151.999 herein.
   (B)   An applicant desiring a variance shall fill out and submit to the Park Rapids Zoning Administrator an application for consideration of variance request form, copies of which are available from the Zoning Administrator. The appropriate fee shall be paid in order for the application to receive consideration by the Board of Adjustment.
   (C)   Upon receipt of a complete application for a variance, the Zoning Administrator shall make a recommendation, in writing, to the Planning Commission who shall make a recommendation to the Board of Adjustment after conducting a public hearing in accordance with M.S. 462, as it may be amended from time to time and the provisions of this chapter. The Board of Adjustment shall make the final decision within 60 days of the date that a complete application is submitted to the Zoning Administrator.
   (D)   An appeal of any administrative decision made in the enforcement of this chapter shall be made by filling out and submitting to the Zoning Administrator an application for appeal, which is available from the Zoning Administrator. The appeal shall be heard and decided by the Board of Adjustment within 60 days of the date that the application is submitted to the Zoning Administrator.
(Prior Code, § 66-246) (Ord. passed 1994; Am. Ord. 532, passed 8-23-2011)

§ 151.246 AMENDMENTS.

   The procedure for amendments to this chapter shall be as follows:
   (A)   An amendment may be initiated by a property owner, the Planning Commission or the City Council. Property owners wishing to initiate an amendment shall fill out an application for amendment form, available from the Zoning Administrator. The application shall be filled out and submitted to the Zoning Administrator together with the appropriate fee;
   (B)   The applicant shall appear before the Planning Commission to answer any questions that Commission members may have concerning the amendment request;
   (C)   A public hearing on the amendment request shall be conducted by the Planning Commission within 60 days following the initial meeting. The public hearing shall be conducted in accordance with M.S. 462, as it may be amended from time to time;
   (D)   The Planning Commission shall make its recommendation to the City Council after the proceedings of this public hearing. The applicant shall be notified in writing of the recommendation that shall be forwarded to the City Council; and
   (E)   The City Council shall consider the recommendation of the Planning Commission within 30 days after the public hearing is conducted.
(Prior Code, § 66-247) (Ord. passed 1994)

§ 151.247 PUBLIC NOTICE AND HEARING REQUIREMENTS.

   (A)   In addition to the procedures described in preceding sections of this chapters, all conditional use permit requests, variance requests, requests for amendments, and preliminary plat approval shall be reviewed at a public hearing conducted at least 10 days following official public notification including publication in the official newspaper of the City of Park Rapids and notification of all property owners within the following distances from affected property when the notice is applicable: In the case of variances and conditional uses, all property owners within 350 feet must be notified. In the case of amendments to official controls which involve changes in district boundaries of 5 acres or less, all owners of property within 350 feet must be notified.
   (B)   The Commission of Natural Resources must also receive at least 10 days notification of hearings to be conducted concerning applications for conditional use permits, variances, amendments or final plat approvals, in shoreland areas. Notice of hearings to consider subdivisions must include copies of the proposed final plat.
   (C)   The Commissioner of Natural Resources must also receive a copy of approved conditional use permits, variances, zoning amendments and final plats, in shoreland areas, postmarked within 10 days of final action.
(Prior Code, § 66-248) (Ord. passed 1994)

§ 151.248 ACCESS TO PRIVATE PROPERTY.

   The Zoning Administrator or his or her agent shall have the right, at all reasonable times, to enter upon private property for the purpose of administration or enforcement of this chapter. This includes the right to conduct investigations, sampling, test borings, and other actions necessary for the enforcement of this chapter.
(Prior Code, § 66-249) (Ord. passed 1994)

§ 151.249 FEES.

   In order to defray the administrative costs associated with the processing of applications for building and related permits, conditional use permits, variance requests, amendments and subdivision plat approval, a schedule of fees has been adopted by the Park Rapids City Council. The schedule of fees shall be posted at the Park Rapids city hall, and may be altered or amended only by resolution of the Park Rapids City Council.
(Prior Code, § 66-251) (Ord. passed 1994)

§ 151.250 OPT-OUT OF MINNESOTA STATUTES § 462.3593.

   Pursuant to authority granted by M.S. § 462.3593, Subd. 9, the city opts-out of the requirements of M.S. § 462.3593, which defines and regulates temporary family health care dwellings.
(Ord. 566, passed 8-23-2016)

§ 151.999 PENALTY.

   (A)   In the event of violation or threatened violation of this chapter, the City Council, in addition to other remedies including prosecution under division (B) of this section, may institute appropriate actions or proceedings to prevent, restrain, correct or abate the violations or threatened violations, and it shall be the duty of the Park Rapids City Attorney to institute this action.
   (B)   Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any of the provisions herein, or who shall fail to comply with any of the provisions herein, or who shall make any false statement in any document required to be submitted under these provisions, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by penalties and fines provided by law. Each day that the violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
(Prior Code, § 66-250) (Ord. passed 1994)