BRAINERD — New city regulations in Brainerd mean costly repercussions for those who don’t follow city permit rules.
Council members unanimously approved a new ordinance Monday, Oct. 2, which states that after-the-fact zoning fees will double.
That means those who don’t get the appropriate variances, conditional use permits or interim use permits before completing projects that require them will have to pay twice as much for the required permits.
Many other municipalities in Minnesota use the same practice.
Both the city building code and the state building code already allow the city to charge double fees for building permits if work begins before the necessary permits are obtained, but the the city did not make the same allowances for subsequent zoning fees.
In August, the City Council denied a temporary use permit for a short-term rental property on South Ninth Street after city staff found the property listed on a vacation rental website without permission to use. The issue sparked a broader conversation about short-term rentals in Brainerd, as well as the amended ordinance to double the subsequent zoning fees.
In other business Monday, the council:
Tobacco license approved application and a service station license application from Northdale Oil, 421 NE Washington St.
A temporary sale has been approved Liquor license application from The Crossing Arts Alliance for the October 6th and 27th events.
A temporary sale has been approved Bridges of Hope liquor license application for an Oct. 8 event at the Gichi-ziibi Arts Center.
A salary scale has been approved for the vacant position of electrical distribution supervisor at Brainerd Public Utilities. The grid ranges from $44.57 an hour in Step 1 to $59.67 an hour in Step 8.
Authorized Constable John Davis to implement the 2024 grant for traffic safety enforcement from the Department of Public Safety. The grant is for $61,200 and supports the Brainerd Lakes Area Toward Zero Death program.
Promoted Miranda Halverson to police administrative supervisor, effective Oct. 16, placed on pay scale step 3, earning $32.01 an hour.
SRF Authorized Consulting Group, the company working on the 210 Freeway pedestrian bridge proposal, to apply for an active transportation grant on behalf of the city for the project.
An offer has been approved of Tom’s Backhoe for 2023-24 snow removal in the downtown special services district at a cost of $6,493.80 for the first 4 inches of snow on streets, alleys and parking lots, and $1,821.46 for the first 4 inches of snow on the sidewalks. Each additional inch will be $1,504.66 and $316.78, respectively. These prices are 5% higher than last year. The city originally received a lower bid from S&K Outdoor Services, but it was later rescinded.
Final reading approved of a micromobility ordinance, which creates regulations on transportation methods such as bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters and electric skateboards.
Final reading approved of an ordinance that turns the City Council’s Security and Public Works Commission into the city’s new Board of Resources for Rental Housing Licenses, which abolishes the current board of resources, which the City Council has had difficulties with to cover
A conditional use permit has been approved for Northern Lakes Rescue to operate an animal clinic at 1606 Mill Ave. Permit stipulations state that no more than 20 dogs can be on the premises at any one time (excluding puppies under 4 months of age), no more than four dogs can be kept overnight, and the building must be properly soundproofed.
A temporary use permit has been approved for a short-term rental at 502 Juniper St.
First reading approved of a parking ordinance off the public road.
First reading approved of an ordinance requiring a criminal background check for tobacco licenses.
THERESA BOURKE can be contacted at
theresa.bourke@brainerddispatch.com
or 218-855-5860. Follow her on Twitter at
www.twitter.com/DispatchTheresa
.
Theresa Bourke began working at the Dispatch in July 2018, covering Brainerd city government and area education, including Brainerd Public Schools and Central Lakes College.
