Council discussion signals stepped-up enforcement for noncompliant car-lot tent

Councilors discussed enforcement and permitting for a car lot and an on-site tent structure that staff said is not in compliance with the city code. Staff reported the property owner had been given time to correct application materials but had not completed them and that enforcement has been delayed while staff worked with the owner.

A council member summarized the enforcement option succinctly: if the owner does not bring the property into compliance, the city will issue fines or require removal of the noncompliant structure. One councilor said, “You have 3 days to remove that tent or comply,” and councilors asked staff to begin the notice process. Planning staff noted the code contains a temporary-structure provision allowing a 90‑day permit if applied for in advance; staff said that allowance was exhausted in the current calendar year for this site.

Council and staff discussed the practical next steps: send a notice that describes the violations and sets a short compliance timeframe; offer the applicant a temporary-permit pathway if eligible; and impose fines if the property remains out of compliance. Staff said they had sent earlier notices in related code-enforcement matters and will provide council with the name of the project manager and compliance timetable so council members can follow up.

No formal motion was recorded to begin fines at the meeting, but councilors instructed staff to proceed with notices and to return with enforcement actions if the property owner does not meet the code requirements. Staff said the temporary-permit form is short and routed through planning for approval when the criteria are met; if the owner elects a semi‑permanent structure, the site will need to meet standard setbacks and other code requirements before it can remain.