Correspondence - 3990 Sunset Drive - 9/26/2022City of Spring Park 4349 Warren Avenue, Spring Park, MN 55384
Phone: (952) 471-9051 / Fax: (952) 471-9160 / Web: www.ci.spring-park.mn.us
September 26, 2022
Donald A. Driggs
2925 Casco Pointe Road
Wayzata, MN 55391
RE: 3990 Sunset Drive, Spring Park Complaint (PID # 17-117-23-33-0025)
Dear Mr. Driggs:
This letter is regarding complaint’s received about the above-referenced residential property. You have been identified as
the property owner of record per Hennepin County tax records. On Thursday, September 22, 2022, I conducted an
inspection from the public way and observed numerous violations of the Spring Park City Code.
Violations Observed Include:
1. Approximately 6 motor vehicles, several boat/bunk trailers, utility trailers and a cargo trailer on-site; only three
licensed and motorized recreational vehicles or trailers owned by the lot owner are allowed.
2. Motor lift, wooden saw horse’s, gas can, numerous outboard boat motors spread throughout yard; exterior storage
to be stored in a building or fully screened from adjoining properties.
3. Junk and debris including mattress & box spring, bed frame, storm door, tarps, wood fencing, etc…; prohibited.
4. Weeds, primarily at north property line, in excess of 6 inches; prohibited.
5. Numerous areas which could harbor vermin, flies & mosquitos; prohibited.
Chapter 18 Article IV Nuisances Section 18-182 Public nuisances affecting health. The following are declared to be
nuisances affecting public health:
(5) Accumulations of stagnant water, manure, rubbish, cans or other debris which are breeding places for flies,
mosquitoes or vermin, or which emit foul and disagreeable odors.
(7) All noxious weeds and poisonous plants; including but not limited to poison ivy, poison oak and ragweed; plants
detrimental to health; any growth of weeds, grass, brush or other rank vegetation to a greater height than six
inches; and accumulations of dead weeds, grass or brush upon public or private property. This subsection shall
not be deemed to apply to weeds, grass or other growths of vegetation so situated that it is extremely and
unreasonably difficult to mow or otherwise remove them.
Chapter 18 Article IV Nuisances Section 18-184 Public nuisance affecting peace and safety. The following are
declared to be nuisances affecting peace and safety:
(5) The placing, storing or keeping of derelict or inoperable machinery, equipment, vehicles, recreational vehicles, as
defined in section 18-181 of the ordinance from which this section derived, or appliances, or junk or debris outdoors
within the City.
(6) The open accumulation of discarded or unused machinery, equipment, appliances, household furnishings, or
other similar materials in a manner conducive to the harboring of rats, mice, snakes or o ther vermin, or to the
creation of fire, health or safety hazards.
(7) The placing, storing, or keeping of construction or landscaping materials or equipment for more than thirty (30)
days outdoors within the City.
City of Spring Park 4349 Warren Avenue, Spring Park, MN 55384
Phone: (952) 471-9051 / Fax: (952) 471-9160 / Web: www.ci.spring-park.mn.us
Section 18-181 Definitions
Derelict vehicles. Any motorized vehicle, trailer, watercraft, or recreational vehicle that meets any of the following
criteria: unlicensed; inoperable (immediate startup and moving under its own power); unmaintained related to the
condition of the vehicle’s appearance and immediate operation; vehicles used as storage containers. This requirement
does not intend to prohibit the outdoor storage of antique or classic cars that are in good repair, are covered, and holding
a pioneer, collector, classic, or street rod vehicle license from the State of Minnesota, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 168.10.
Junk or refuse. Any scrap, waste, reclaimable material, or debris, whether or not stored or used in conjunction with
dismantling, processing, salvaging, storing, baling, disposal or other use or disposition. Junk includes, but is not limited
to, unlicensed vehicles or RVs, inoperable vehicles or RVs, derelict vehicles or RVs, unmaintained vehicles or RVs,
tires, vehicle parts, equipment, paper, rags, metal, glass, building materials, household appliances, brush, wood, and
lumber.
Zoning Chapter 42 Article II General Provisions Section 42-63 - General building and performance requirements.
(k) Refuse. The piling of junk in yards in all residential districts shall not be permitted, except that junk in yards as
of the effective date of this chapter shall be removed within a period of 15 days after notification by the city.
Zoning Chapter 42 Article VIII, Division 13, Sec. 42-530. Outside storage, residential, commercial and industrial
uses.
(a) All outside storage of materials and equipment for residential uses shall be stored within a building or fully screened
so as not to be visible from adjoining properties, except for the following:
(1) Clothesline pole and wire.
(2) Not more than three licensed and motorized recreational vehicles or trailers owned by the lot owner, subject to
the following conditions:
a. Street side storage:
1. All permitted recreational vehicle storage must be on a driveway or paved surface.
2. On local streets: all permitted recreational vehicle storage must meet the following street setbacks:
i. Dead end local streets: Three foot setback from back of curb or edge of street surface.
ii. Through local street: Five foot setback from back of curb or edge of street surface.
iii. Recreational vehicles shall not extend into any sidewalk or trail.
3. On county roads: all permitted recreational vehicle storage must be located on private property and
setback at least 20 feet from the edge of the travel lane of the street and may not extend into any
sidewalk area.
4. Permitted recreational vehicle storage shall not interfere with stormwater drainage or be located over
an existing utility.
5. The storage or parking of recreational vehicles cannot compromise off street parking.
6. On a corner lot, no storage may be placed within the traffic visibility triangle setback. The traffic visibility
triangle is defined as beginning at the corner of a lot located at the intersection of two streets and
extending 20 feet along both lot lines and then diagonally connecting the 20 foot setbacks.
7. Docks and boat lifts for non-riparian lots having lake access may be stored in the street side yard of
property provided:
i. Equipment is set back a minimum of 20 feet from the edge of the street surface and the equipment
does not obstruct traffic visibility along the street.
ii. Dock storage shall be neatly stacked to a height not to exceed four feet.
b. Side yard storage:
1. All permitted recreational vehicle storage in a side yard must be on an area surfaced with asphalt,
concrete, paver blocks, grass pavers, or crushed rock with a border that prevents erosion. The total
impervious surface must meet the hard surface standards of the respective district.
2. All permitted recreational vehicle storage must be set back at least two feet from the side yard property
line.
3. Permitted recreational vehicle or trailer storage shall not interfere with stormwater drainage or divert
stormwater to neighboring properties.
4. No recreational vehicle storage pad shall be located within a drainage or utility easement.
5. On a corner lot, all permitted recreational vehicle storage must be set back at least five feet from the
street edge abutting a local street right-of -way and 20 feet from the edge of the street travel lane on a
county road.
c. Lakeside storage:
1. No recreational vehicle storage in a floodplain area except as follows.
2. Between March 1 and November 30, licensed boats and motorized personal watercraft owned by the
lot owner may be stored on the lakeshore side of any lot.
City of Spring Park 4349 Warren Avenue, Spring Park, MN 55384
Phone: (952) 471-9051 / Fax: (952) 471-9160 / Web: www.ci.spring-park.mn.us
3. Between October 1 and May 15, snowmobiles and ATVs may be stored on the lakeshore side of any
lot.
4. Properties may store manual propulsion lake equipment (canoes, paddle boats, water bikes, etc.) on
the lake side of a property provided that:
i. The equipment carries current registration as required by State Statute.
ii. The equipment is owned by the property owner or occupant of the property.
iii. The equipment is intended for use by manual propulsion.
5. Docks, boat lifts and associated boat equipment may be stored on the lakeside of a property provided
that they meet the following requirements:
i. Docks and boat equipment may only be stored from September 1 through May 30.
d. Rear yard (non-riparian lots):
1. All permitted recreational vehicle storage within the rear yard shall be set back at least five feet from
any side or rear lot line.
2. All storage within the rear yard shall be screened from adjoining properties or public streets. Said
screening shall consist of landscaping or a fence that provides year round screening of 75 percent
opacity, and a minimum height of six feet.
3. Rear yard outdoor storage may be placed on grass surfaces. Property owners may provide a storage
area surfaced of asphalt, concrete, paver blocks, or grass pavers provided the total hard cover of the
lot meets the hard surface requirements of the respective zoning district.
(3) One ice fishing house provided it meets the following requirements:
a. The structure must meet all setback requirements of an accessory structure in the subject district.
b. The structure cannot be a permanent accessory building.
c. The structure cannot be used for the storage of items or junk.
d. The structure must be kept in good condition, meaning that the exterior is not showing signs of deterioration,
the fish house is movable, and the storage area is kept from weeds and/or debris.
e. The structure must have current registration as required by State Statute.
(4) Construction and landscaping materials currently part of an active project provided that:
a. The project is completed within 30 days or is affiliated with a building permit on site.
b. The equipment and materials cannot be scrap, salvage, or junk.
(5) On and off street parking of currently registered and operable passenger vehicles and trucks not to exceed a gross
weight of 12,000 pounds.
(6) Lawn furniture or furniture used and constructed explicitly for outdoor use.
(7) Lakeside or side yard exterior storage of firewood for the purpose of consumption only by the person or persons on
whose property it is stored. Firewood storage shall not exceed one cord of wood having dimensions not exceeding
four feet high, four feet wide and eight feet in length. Three cords of firewood may be stored on a residential property
provided it is set back a minimum of 15 feet from a house or an adjoining lot.
(8) Stationary recreational equipment provided the equipment does not meet the definition of "recreational vehicle" and
does not exceed 200 square feet in impervious surface.
Zoning Section 42-52 R. Definitions
Recreational vehicle. Self-propelled vehicles, trailers, or vehicle(s) stored on the trailer itself that can be pulled by
a motor vehicle of less than 14,000 pounds GWT, which are used primarily for recreational -leisure time activities
including, but not limited to campers, tent trailers, motor homes or other vehicles used for temporary living quarters,
boats, canoes, kayaks, personal watercraft, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, golf carts, race cars, stock cars,
motorcycles, utility t railers, watercraft trailers, off-road vehicles and similar vehicles or equipment. A trailer which
contains multiple vehicles shall be considered one recreational vehicle.
Penalty Information
Section 18-186 Public Nuisances - Penalty.
(a) Any person who shall cause or create any nuisance, or permit any nuisance to be created or to be placed upon or
to remain upon any premises owned or occupied by him, and any person who shall fail to comply with any
reasonable order made pursuant to the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction, be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor and shall be punished in accordance with section 1-13.
(b) Each repetition of an act, omission to act, or allowance of a condition to exist constituting a nuisance and each
day's occurrence of a continuing action, omission or allowance of a condition to exist constituting a nuisance shall
constitute a new, separate and distinct offense for which a separate and distinct penalty can be imposed.
City of Spring Park 4349 Warren Avenue, Spring Park, MN 55384
Phone: (952) 471-9051 / Fax: (952) 471-9160 / Web: www.ci.spring-park.mn.us
Zoning Chapter 42 Article VII Enforcement and Penalties Section 42-236. - Penalties.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than
the maximum penalty for a misdemeanor prescribed under state law.
You are hereby ordered to correct the violations within 15 calendar days from the date of this letter. Per Section 18-
187(a) failure to comply with abatement order, or file an answer contesting the order, may result in abatement of the
nuisance by the city and assessment of the cost against the property.
If you have any questions or feel you have received this letter in error, please call 952-442-7520.
Thank you for your cooperation in resolving this issue.
Sincerely,
Tracy Reimann
Building Official Limited
cc: Municipality property file