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Council aligns fuel-tank rules with fire code, waives readings and approves ordinance changes
Summary
The council moved above-ground fuel-storage regulations from the fire prevention code into the zoning code, removed local size limits and made fuel tanks accessory uses subject to fire marshal permits; council waived multiple readings and adopted both ordinances.
Inver Grove Heights councilors on Monday approved ordinance changes that align above-ground fuel-storage tank regulations with state fire code and move related controls into the zoning code.
Staff told the council the update grew from an earlier variance request and a review of two separate code sections that created confusion: the city's fire prevention code and the zoning code. Under the change the city removes its local tank-size limits and defers specific size and siting standards to the state fire code and the fire marshal's permitting process. The use will be recast as a permitted accessory use, meaning tanks cannot be the sole principal use of a property and will require a primary business on the site.
The proposal also standardizes the districts in which tanks are allowed and adds a requirement for a site plan and a fire-permit review by the fire marshal before installation. Staff said the amendments will reduce conflicts between city code and the state fire code and give the fire marshal inspection and permitting authority.
Because the fire-prevention code sat outside the zoning code, staff reminded the council that amending both sections would normally require three readings. The council voted to waive the three-reading requirement by the revised voting standard (a supermajority under the city's administrative rules) and then adopted the ordinance amending the Fire Prevention Code (Section 9-4-2) and the ordinance amending the zoning use tables (sections 10-6-1 and -2) as presented. Planning staff said the Planning Commission had held a public hearing on June 3 and recommended approval 7-0.
One councilor noted there was no urgency to adopt immediately; others said the package already had significant review. The ordinances passed after the council voted to waive additional readings and then voted to adopt both code changes.
