HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.14.2002COUNCIL WORK SESSION
October 14, 2002
4:30 p.m.
Council Chambers
Councilperson Harold Getty called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Members present: Berry, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Clark that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven.
Motion carried.
Proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance to require newly developed residential and
commercial areas to screen dumpsters were reviewed. The changes are as follows:
1. All dumpsters in new residentially developed areas, after the effective date of the
ordinance, shall be screened by a 6' opaque fence or structure on all sides.
Temporary dumpsters used during construction and rubble fill in conjunction with an
approved development plan would not be required to be screened. The location of all
dumpsters shall conform to fire and building codes.
2. All dumpsters in new commercially developed areas (except C-3), after the effective
date of the ordinance, shall be screened by a 6' opaque fence or structure on all sides
in a manner that is architecturally compatible with the principle building. Temporary
dumpsters used during construction and rubble fill in conjunction with an approved
development plan would not be required to be screened. The location of all
dumpsters shall conform to fire and building codes.
The Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission reviewed the proposed amendments at the
October 1, 2002 meeting. The amendments were approved by a 6 to 4 vote. Those in favor of
the changes stated that it would improve the aesthetics of new developments while those opposed
expressed concerns of snow removal, increased time and expense involved with trash pick up.
A meeting was held on August 22, 2002 regarding the dumpsters and the following comments
were received: snow removal is a problem, takes longer to unload dumpsters, initial cost of
fence is too expensive, if required for new complexes it can work, but difficult to retrofit into
existing areas, people will throw garbage inside the corral, existing codes regarding dumpsters
are not adequately enforced, more neighborhood clean ups needed and landlords need to be
notified, security and liability concerns, people could get caught between the fence and
dumpsters if the dumpster should roll, and it is not a fair burden to place on landlords.
Councilperson Jordan asked if footings would be required and Noel Anderson, City Planner,
responded no footings would be required. Councilperson Jordan stated he feels the door will
never be closed if required on all sides, and that a three sided fence or structure would work
better. Councilperson Jordan stated he is not convinced this will solve the problem.
Councilperson Welper stated he felt the problem is not the dumpsters, but tenants and others who
through the garbage in the dumpsters. Councilperson Welper stated he does not think a fence
will be a solution, but it would make the area look better.
Councilperson Berry stated she can see people throwing garbage over the side of the structure
and it could land anywhere.
Harold Andrews stated that with the dumpster enclosed people will just throw the garbage
because you cannot see it, and the garbage men will have to get it out, which will cost more. Mr.
Andrews stated that the structure or fence will require a building permit to construct, which
increases the taxes, which will be added to the rent.
Arlin Zevenbergen stated he has a number of buildings around town, and he feels if a fence is
required around the dumpsters, it will create a liability and there will be lawsuits and great
expense to the city. Mr. Zevenbergen stated he feels the private haulers have bent over
Council Work Session
October 14, 2002
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backwards the past couple of years and have cleaned up the dumpsters. Mr. Zevenbergen stated
he believes people will just throw the garbage over the structure, and in the winter the bags
freeze to the ground and tear when the contractor tries to pick it up. This will increase the cost to
everyone. Mr. Zevenbergen stated that landlords and private haulers have done their jobs, that
the problem is with the tenants. Mr. Zevenbergen stated he feels the ordinance should be
dropped.
Councilperson Berry asked why the dumpsters are an issue. Councilperson Berry stated that
maybe businesses need larger dumpsters, and that this just does not seem like an issue.
Mr. Zevenbergen stated this was brought before the council because of a complaint from a
woman living on Russell Road and Dixon Drive. There is a dumpster in this area and one of the
tenants set out a couch and chair on Monday and there was no service until Friday. Mr.
Zevenbergen stated he believes that if there had been a fence around the dumpster, the furniture
would still have been outside the fence.
Councilperson Hurley state he is in favor of the ordinance. This requirement is for new
residential and commercial development, the others will be grandfathered in. We are all
interested in a beautiful and clean city. Councilperson Hurley stated that language can be written
into the ordinance concerning the doors and we can look at 3 sided structures.
Councilperson Getty stated that the ordinance will be placed on the council agenda in two weeks.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Jordan, seconded by Welper that
the meeting be adjourned at 5:19 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk
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