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Council sends barndominium foundation options to Planning Commission for public hearing
Summary
Council discussed allowing alternative foundation types for barndominiums, directing staff to take the issue to the Planning Commission for a May public hearing with an emphasis on structural-engineer review.
The City Council discussed whether to allow alternative foundation types for barndominiums during the April 14 meeting and directed staff to send proposed ordinance language to the Planning Commission for a public hearing in May.
Planning staff explained the current city code (Section 13, subdivision 1) requires a continuous perimeter short‑wall foundation for barndominiums. The Minnesota State Building Code allows post‑frame and post‑frame-with-concrete-pier foundations if a structural engineer certifies the design. Staff said the difference is largely a shift of cost and design responsibility, and that the critical control is structural-engineer review.
Council members expressed differing views. One member favored keeping short‑wall foundations but would accept post‑frame-with-concrete-pier if engineered; another said foundation choice should depend on building use and engineer certification. Staff recommended taking the draft ordinance to the Planning Commission for a public hearing at the next available notice, and the council agreed.
Staff noted additional building-code requirements—frost footings, wood treatment for ground contact and other specifications—would still apply regardless of foundation type. The council agreed to have the Planning Commission hold a public hearing in May and return recommendations to council.
