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Council directs attorney to draft ordinance on stand‑alone residential garages with several changes
Summary
Fergus Falls City Council debated planning commission recommendations for stand‑alone garages and directed the city attorney to draft an ordinance that removes a proposed maximum lot‑size restriction, retains a 19‑foot sidewall standard, eliminates a city‑resident requirement for applicants and clarifies apron/driveway requirements.
The Fergus Falls City Council debated revisions to a proposed ordinance allowing stand‑alone residential garages and voted to direct the city attorney to draft ordinance language incorporating council changes.
A planning commission memo recommended a draft ordinance; council members raised three recurring concerns: a proposed maximum lot‑size threshold that could prevent owners of large lots from building garages, whether a paved driveway/apron requirement should apply retroactively to existing homes, and whether applicants must be city residents. One council member said restricting large lots would be unfair because larger owners already pay more in taxes and a garage can spur future homebuilding.
Council members reached a set of changes: they voted not to include the proposed maximum lot‑size limit; retained a 19‑foot sidewall height standard while confirming sidewall (not overall roof) height remains the measurement; agreed that the apron connecting to the public right of way should conform to the condition of the street (paved curb requires paved apron; gravel street may allow gravel apron) and removed the requirement that conditional‑use applicants be city residents, saying it was too restrictive for property owners.
City planning staff confirmed there is not a formal code definition of "outside storage" and advised the council that the planning commission intended it to mean machinery or garage‑type items left outside rather than typical patio furniture. Council members asked staff to clarify definitions and architectural requirements for longer walls (color changes or architectural interest when a wall exceeds a length threshold).
The council moved and approved a motion directing the city attorney to incorporate the agreed deletions and edits and to return with an ordinance for formal reading. "We just need to get the ordinance done," the mayor said, urging the council to conclude deliberations so residents can apply for permits this year.
Why it matters: The changes affect whether property owners can build detached garages on city lots and set standards for safety, neighborhood compatibility and permit review. Removing the resident‑only requirement expands eligibility for property owners who live outside city limits but own in‑city lots.
What comes next: The city attorney will draft ordinance language reflecting the council’s decisions and return it for a first reading; if approved, residents could apply for conditional‑use permits under the new rules.
