Laserfiche WebLink
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <br />DATE; December 8, 1997 <br />ITEM NO.: i / <br />/ t <br />Department Approval: <br />Name Gregory A. Gappa <br />Title Director of Public Services <br />Administrator Reviewed:Agenda Section: <br />Administrator's Report <br />Item Description: Open Burning Policy Revisions <br />There has been citizen concern about current burning policies in the City, which prohibit the <br />burning of brush. The existing policy only allows recreational fires and log disposal fires. Based <br />on public comments received, the Council directed City staff to research this issue and provide <br />recommendations for possible policy changes to the Council. The first time this issue was <br />presented to the Council, the staff recommendation was to retain the existing policy. The Council <br />tabled this issue and directed staff to provide additional options for consideration. <br />This issue was researched further and was presented to the Council for consideration a second <br />time. The recommended changes included modifications to the permitting process to simplify the <br />process, but did not include any major changes to the existing burning policy. After receiving <br />public opinion on these proposed changes, the issue was referred to staff for further consideration. <br />Staff was directed to draft proposed changes that would allow for brush disposal fires with criteria <br />based on lot sizes. <br />We have reviewed burning policies from the cities of Minnetrista and Independence. Both cities <br />are located next to the western border of Orono. These cities are less developed than Orono with <br />larger lots and agricultural land. These Cities are somewhat typical of our larger lot rural <br />subdivisions. We have also reviewed the burning ordinance for the City of Shorewood. This City <br />represents the moie densely developed urban areas around Lake Minnetonka. <br />Recreational Fires <br />Recreational fires up to a 3' diameter and 3’ high are allowed without a permit in Independence <br />and Minnetrista. Shorewood allows recreational fires with an annual permit required. Orono <br />currently allows recreational fires with a 30-day permit requirement. This permit is renewable for <br />one additional 30-day period. Our recommendation is to continue to allo\v 3' diameter by 3' high <br />recreational fires on all size lots with a no-cost annual permit in the City of Orono. This will <br />provide for a minimum of one inspection of recreational fire sites on an annual basis. Requiring <br />a permit for recreational fires will allow for more control of these sites, and provide the ability <br />to control problem burning by revoking the permit. Based on the large number of smaller lots in <br />Orono, we believe that the requirement of annual recreational fire permits is reasonable. This is <br />the similar to the requirements in the City of Shorewood.