Council directs attorney to draft amendments on standalone accessory structures after divided debate

The Fergus Falls City Council voted to direct the city attorney to draft potential amendments to City Code chapter 154 addressing standalone accessory structures (for example, detached garages), following a lengthy debate.

Council Member Kwame (S11) told colleagues he favors the planning commission’s recommendation to keep existing language and said changing the ordinance “across the board” could create problems, including garages that become permanent and possibly commercial uses in residential neighborhoods. “I believe that we should agree with the planning commission's recommendation and not change the ordinance,” Kwame said.

Other council members urged study and amendment. One councillor said conditional-use permits or variances could address unusual lots near the city limits; another noted smaller lots (some as narrow as 55 feet) cannot meet the current 60-foot front requirement and cited missed development and tax revenue opportunities. S6 offered to help work with the city attorney.

S1 clarified that the motion before the council would only send the request to the city attorney to be drafted; any actual ordinance change would return to the council for public hearings and formal vote. The motion to draft the amendments passed on a roll-call vote.

Council members emphasized that drafting language does not equal final approval and that the council would have opportunities to amend or reject any proposed ordinance following the drafting process.