CITY OF COON RAPIDS, MINNESOTA
CHAPTER 11-900
MODERATE-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT (MDR)

11-901 Intent. This District is intended to provide housing at moderate densities, and at the same time offer special amenities for individual and family living. This district shall provide land for attractive moderate-density residential development; emphasize quality common open space and pedestrian/bicycle access in townhouse and multiple dwelling developments; and develop at a gross density between four (4) and seven (7) dwelling units per acre. All moderate density residential developments approved pursuant to this Chapter, or any predecessor thereto, prior to May 15, 2002, are deemed conforming developments for purposes of density notwithstanding their actual approved densities. [Revised 4/2/02, Ordinance 1755][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]

11-902 Permitted Uses.

(1) Two-family dwellings existing, or for which permits were approved, as of January1, 2005 and combined when necessary with other permitted or conditional uses to achieve a density of at least four (4.0) dwelling units per acre. [Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 12/7/04, Ordinance 1857]
(2) Public uses or utilities, except major buildings, substations, towers, or high voltage transmission lines.
(3) Townhouses.
(4) Multiple dwellings of seven (7) or fewer units per acre. [Revised 4/2/02, Ordinance 1755]
(5) State licensed community residential facilities or day care facilities serving sixteen (16) or fewer persons. [Revised 9/5/95, Ordinance 1537][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]

11-903 Accessory Uses.

(1) Home occupations as regulated by Subsection 11-603(5).[Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
(2) Maintenance, management, or community recreation buildings incidental to the development.
(3) Patios and tennis courts.
(4) Private or community garages as regulated by Subsection 11-905(11).[Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
(5) Signs as regulated by Chapter 11-2100. [Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
(6) Swimming pools as regulated by Chapter 12-500.
(7) Home Based Retail Sales as regulated by Section 11-1862.[Revised 8/4/98, Ordinance 1640][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]

11-904 Conditional Uses.

(1) Conditional uses under Section 11-604 except feedlots, stables, and residential facilities.
(2) Attached dwelling structures not described as permitted uses, seven (7) dwelling units per acre or less. [Revised 4/2/02, Ordinance 1755][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
(3) Single-family dwellings when combined with permitted and/or other attached dwellings uses to achieve a density of at least four (4.0) dwelling units per acre.
(4) State licensed community residential facilities or day care facilities serving seventeen (17) or more persons. [Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 9/5/95, Ordinance 1537]
(5) State licensed community correctional facilities. [Revised 9/5/95, Ordinance 1537]

11-905 District Standards. Single-family and two-family dwellings shall comply with Chapter 11-700 and Section 11-907. Multiple dwellings, state licensed residential facilities serving 17 or more persons, and other attached dwellings determined by the Planning Commission to be similar to multiple dwellings shall comply with Chapter 11-1000 and Section 11-908. Public uses or utilities and principal conditional uses under Section 11-604 shall comply with Chapter 11-1200. Day care facilities serving sixteen (16) or fewer persons shall comply with the standards for the dwelling unit in which they are located. The following standards apply to townhouses, state licensed residential facilities serving 16 or fewer persons, and similar attached dwelling structures as determined by the Planning Commission: [Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526] [Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]

(1) Building Character. The design of buildings shall have a comparable, compatible and complementary relationship to surrounding land uses. Buildings shall be designed with interesting and varied exterior materials, setbacks and architectural features and details. All exterior wall surfaces shall be of the same materials. [Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806][Revised 7/6/04, Ordinance 1822]
(2) Development Guidelines. Developments shall satisfy the following guidelines. Determination of whether these guidelines are satisfied shall be made by the Planning Commission or by the City Council after receiving a recommendation from the Planning Commission.

a) Building Massing. Articulate building massing, using methods including, but not limited to, staggering building components, adding columns, recessing doorways, creating interesting shapes and short, or uneven facades. Buildings facing each other across public or private streets shall have similar scale, massing and articulation.
b) Facades. Articulate building facades of both individual housing units and attached housing groups or buildings through the use of staggering, arcades, porches, balconies, special window treatments, ornamentation and unique details. Face entries to public and private streets and orient garage doors away from public and private streets.
c) Varied Roof Shapes. Provide a variety of roof shapes, including, but not limited to pitched roofs, dormers, chimneys, gable or hip roof accents, and detailed parapets and cornices creating interesting roof profiles.
d) Focal Features. Provide focal features to add interest or distinction to attached housing groups or buildings using techniques such as elevating parts of buildings towers, or emphasizing a prominent part of the building such as a corner or main entry or by using features such as canopies, porticoes, overhangs, arcades, facade recesses and projections and peaked roofs or raised parapets above doors or windows.
e) Building Materials. High quality, exterior building materials shall be used. Such materials include, but are not limited to, brick, natural stone, textured pre-cast masonry, fiber-cement and vinyl siding, integrally colored, concrete masonry units and similar materials. Exterior materials shall not include smooth-faced concrete block, prefabricated steel panels, reflective glass, or aluminum and fiberglass siding.
f) Balconies, Decks and Porches. The floors and railings of balconies, decks and porches shall have a durable finish complementing the colors of the building or attached housing group.
g) Entry Steps. The risers and areas under non-masonry, entry steps and landings, shall be enclosed with materials consistent with the exterior materials of the building or attached housing group. All surfaces of non-masonry steps and landings, including railings, shall have a durable finish complementing the colors of the building or attached housing groups. [Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806][Revised 7/6/04, Ordinance 1822]

(3) Maximum Building Height. 55 feet for principal structures, including attached garages and attached accessory use areas; 20 feet for detached accessory use structures. [Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
(4) Bulk of Townhouse Group. There shall be no more than eight (8) townhouse units in any Townhouse Group, and in no event shall any group be more than 240 feet in length. [Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
(5) Common Open Space Area.

(a) Minimum common open space area: 700 square feet per unit. [Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
(b) Common open space areas shall be contiguous, may include setback areas, shall be no less than 50 feet in any dimension (except for access points), and shall be of such condition, size, shape, location, and topography to be suitable for recreational or scenic use by all residents of the development or contain unique natural features to be preserved. The following qualify as common open space:

i. That part of absorption or detention ponds in excess of five (5) year storm requirements.
ii. Provided they shall not exceed 50 percent of the total required open space:

a. Natural ponds;
b. Wetlands;
c. Streams;
d. That part of absorption or detention ponds required for the storage of a five (5) year storm if developed in the form of an artificial lake. [Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]

(c) Common open space areas are restricted to recreational, scenic, and conservation purposes, and shall be so restricted by recorded covenants. These covenants shall run with the land and shall not be defeated or eliminated without the consent of the City Council. Said covenants shall be subject to City Attorney approval. A copy thereof shall be kept on file in the office of the Community Development Director. [Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526] [Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]

(6) Minimum Development Size. Three units. [Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
(7) Minimum Finished Floor Area:

Lot grade for purposes of this Section means the lowest point of elevation of the finished surface of the ground, paving, or sidewalk within the area between the building and a line five (5) feet from the sidewall of the building. [Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]

(8) Foundation. Residential living space must have a perimeter foundation meeting the requirements of the Minnesota State Building Code as adopted by the City. For the purposes of this paragraph, “residential living space” includes, but is not limited to, all areas of a dwelling suitable and intended for living such as areas for sleeping, eating, or cooking as well as adjunct areas such as bathrooms, closets, halls, storage and utility space, and attached garages, but shall exclude three season porches and similar, unheated appurtenant structures. [Revised 4/6/99, Ordinance 1660] [Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
(9) Garages. Minimum floor area: 300 square feet. Maximum floor area: 75 percent of the floor area of the dwelling unit to which the garage is an accessory use, but not to exceed 900 square feet. The style, color, and facing material of a garage shall be compatible with the dwelling unit. A garage must have a minimum width of fourteen (14) feet and a minimum depth of eighteen (18) feet. Garage space must either be attached to the dwelling unit it is accessory to or be accessible from the living unit by passing only through private open space accessory to the dwelling unit. [Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
(10) Homeowners’ Association. Developments shall have a homeowners’ association responsible for maintenance of all open space and other common areas, all accessory buildings, and the exterior of the residential units. Homeowners’ association agreements are subject to City Attorney approval and shall be kept on file in the office of the Community Development Director. [Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
(11) Landscaping and Screening. The landscape design objectives, the landscape plan, and the size, location, quantity and type of landscape and screening plants shall meet the requirements of the current version of Landscape Standards On File With The Community Development Director and the following requirements:

(a) All landscaped areas shall be irrigated with an underground sprinkler system.
(b) Landscaped islands shall be provided in parking lots to break up and soften the appearance of large areas of paving.
(c) All areas of the site not covered by impervious surfaces or landscaping shall be planted with cultured sod laid over four inches of drought-resistant top soil.
(d) Trash and recycling storage areas, mechanical equipment and other screening shall be required in accordance with Sections 11-1833 through 11-1837.[Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806][Revised 12/16/03, Ordinance 1828]

(12) Minimum Lot Components. The dwelling unit, the garage accessory to the unit, two (2) parking spaces, at least one (1) such space in an enclosed garage accessory to the dwelling unit, and the private open space accessory to the unit. [Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
(13) Lot Coverage. Not more than 50 percent of the development area shall be covered by buildings, drives, and paved areas. [Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526]
(14) Reserved for future use. [Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
(15) Mailboxes. Mailboxes of uniform design to be used for mail and newspaper delivery shall be provided, and located to minimize the number of such structures within the public right-of-way. [Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
(16) Parking and Drives.

(a) Minimum Number of Off-street Parking Spaces: Three (3) spaces per unit, placed so that at least one (1) space is in an enclosed garage accessory to the dwelling unit, at least two (2) spaces are on the same lot as the dwelling unit, and at least one-half (½) space is in a common parking area. [Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
(b) Except for a tandem parking space, no parking, public streets, or drives are allowed within five (5) feet of the exterior development boundary line or within 20 feet of any right-of-way line. No parking is allowed within the sight triangle described in Section 11-1825. [Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
(c) Driveways leading from a public street to a garage shall have a minimum width of ten (10) feet per garage and a maximum width of 48 feet per driveway, excluding the entrance radii. [Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
(d) Individual driveway access to arterial streets is prohibited unless no practical alternative access exists, as determined by the City Council, and a driveway turnaround is provided. [Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
(e) To the extent not in conflict with this section, parking and drives shall be constructed to the standards of Section 11-1802 through 11-1811.[Revised 4/1/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]

(17) Play Area. Developments containing more than eight (8) dwelling units with two (2) or more bedrooms shall include a children’s play area. All developments shall include an adult recreation area. The location, size, and equipment in such areas shall be approved by the Planning Commission as to adequacy and ability to meet the needs of the development’s residents. The Planning Commission, after a public hearing, may approve another amenity in lieu of a children’s play area in a development, if it finds:

(a) The children’s play area would not be useful to the residents of the development;
(b) The proposed amenity will provide a substantially better living environment for the residents than if the amenity is not provided;
(c) At least 50% of the project has been sold and control of the association has been assumed by the residents;
(d) The proposed amenity is requested by a majority vote of the members of the homeowners’ association; and
(e) The developer agrees with the request or has defaulted on the security agreement given to guarantee the installation of the play area. [Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]

(18) Private Open Space. In addition to common open space, at least 400 square feet of private open space shall be provided for the private use of each individual dwelling unit. Private open space shall be located and designed to maximize its utility to the dwelling unit it serves and maximize its privacy, especially in relation to adjacent dwelling units. Private open space shall be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from exterior boundaries and a minimum of ten (10) feet from private open space areas accessory to another Townhouse Group. For purposes of this Section, private open space area includes balcony and deck areas. [Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526] [Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]

(19) Minimum Setbacks:

(a) Townhouses.

[Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]

(b) Setbacks Along Thoroughfares. Along streets designated Class I, II, or III arterials in the City's Comprehensive Plan, the minimum setback for all buildings shall be 50 feet from the right-of-way, except:

i. When a property abuts a service road, the setback provisions of 11-905(19)(a) apply. [Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
ii. The setback may be reduced on Class III arterial streets to 35 feet, provided: there is no driveway access to the arterial; and either the arterial’s full anticipated right-of-way has been dedicated, or it’s width is not planned or anticipated to increase. [Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]

(c) The following may encroach on setback areas:

i. In any yard: patios, steps, or chimneys that are no closer than three (3) feet to the exterior development boundary line, flag poles, light poles, and public utilities, subject to the requirements of Section 11-604(8).
ii. Roof eaves, overhangs, balconies, decks, and similar appurtenances, but no more than two (2) feet into a setback area. [Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]

11-906 Site Plan Approval. Site plan approval is required pursuant to Sections 11-320 through 11-328.[Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]

11-907 Special Provisions For Two-family Dwellings. Two family dwelling lots of record in the Office of the County Recorder for Anoka County on or before February 1, 1984, shall meet the following minimum standards for lot dimensions and area instead of those found in Chapter 11-700:

Lot width - 90 feet;
Corner lot width - 100 feet;
Lot depth - 135 feet
Lot area - 12,150
Corner lot area - 13,500
[Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526][Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]

11-908 Special Provisions For Multiple Dwellings. In addition to the standards found in Chapter 11-1000, multiple dwellings are subject to the following:

(1) Common open space areas may be reduced, up to 100 square feet per dwelling unit by one (1) square foot for each square foot of private open space provided for the private use of each individual dwelling unit. [Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]
(2) The following qualify as Common open space, subject to the requirements of Section 11-905(5)(c):

(a) That part of absorption or detention ponds in excess of five (5) year storm requirements.
(b) Provided they shall not exceed 50 percent of the total required open space:

i. Natural ponds;
ii. Wetlands;
iii. Streams;
iv. That part of absorption or detention ponds required for the storage of a five (5) year storm if developed in the form of an artificial lake.

[Revised 4/18/95, Ordinance 1526] [Revised 8/6/03, Ordinance 1806]