Administration - Erik Thorvig, Community Development Director
Title
Granting a Variance to Section 46-4 of the Blaine City Code to Allow Temporary Parking of a Recreational Vehicle for Up to 90 Days at 8650 Lincoln Street
Executive Summary
Consider granting a variance to allow a recreation vehicle to be temporarily parked at 8650 Lincoln Street as a result of a fire to the home.
Background
The home at 8650 Lincoln Street recently experienced a fire. As a result, the homeowners aren’t able to occupy the home. The homeowners have requested to live in a recreational vehicle on the property until the home is habitable again.
Chapter 46 of the Blaine City Code addresses manufactured homes and trailers. There is a provision that allows the city manager to issue an administrative permit for the following circumstances:
1. To park a manufactured home on any lot in the city, if the principle structure has been damaged by fire, winds, flood or in the case of a declared disaster. Such permit shall have a duration of not more than 90 days. The fee for such permit shall be established by action of the council. The council shall be informed of the issuance of the permit at the first regular council meeting thereafter; or
2. To occupy a recreational camping vehicle on any occupied lot for a period of not more than seven days, provided that adequate sanitary facilities are available in the principle structure on such lot.
The homeowner desires to use a “recreational camping vehicle” which would limit them to only seven days. Given the circumstances, that is not a sufficient amount of time. The intent of the seven-day maximum is to allow guests of a resident to live in a recreational vehicle if they’re visiting and doesn’t address circumstances such as a fire or other disaster. There is a variance process within Chapter 46 that allows the city council to vary or modify the strict application of the regulations or provisions contained in the chapter in which there are practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships in the way of strict application.
After consultation with staff from planning, fire inspections, building inspections and the city attorney, staff would support a variance extending the temporary permit from 7 days, to a total of 90 days. The property is large enough to accommodate this type of recreational vehicle with minimal impact to adjacent properties. In addition, it has been confirmed that the home can still be utilized for sanitary facilities.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends granting a variance that extends the length of time for the administrative permit from 7 days an additional 83 days, totaling 90 days.
Attachment List
Site location map
Body
WHEREAS, the property at 8650 Lincoln Street experienced a fire making the home inhabitable until repairs can be made; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 46 of the Blaine City Code identifies provisions for the city manager to issue an administrative permit for either manufactured homes or recreational vehicles on a temporary basis; and
WHEREAS, recreational vehicles are only allowed for a period of up to seven days; and
WHEREAS, the homeowner is requesting to live in a recreational vehicle on the property while repair is being made to the home and needs more than seven days; and
WHEREAS, there is a variance process within Chapter 46 that allows the council to vary or modify the strict application of an of the regulations or provisions contained in the chapter in which there are practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships in the way of strict application.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Blaine City Council hereby finds unnecessary hardship to the homeowner and approves a variance to the provisions outlined in Section 46-4 of the Blaine City Code to allow a recreational vehicle to be located on the property at 8650 Lincoln Street for a period of up to 90 days from the date of this resolution.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 3rd day of May, 2021.