The Moorhead City Council on Monday gave first reading to an ordinance change intended to clarify rules on storing recreational vehicles and equipment.
The change will become effective on second reading, which could be in July.
The revision limits the size of recreational vehicles that can be parked in a residential zone to 32 feet or shorter and prohibits storing junk and debris in open trailers.
It also would limit the time that recreational vehicles and equipment can be parked in a given spot.
For front and side yards, the limit is 150 days in a calendar year. For rear yards, the limit is 270 days in a given calendar year.
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Under the proposed change, a recreational vehicle could not be used as a permanent living accommodation.
A vehicle could be parked for the purpose of housing guests for no more than seven consecutive days at a time, or no more than 14 days total in one calendar year.
In other business, the council gave final reading to an ordinance change that expands the hours businesses that sell sexually explicit material may be open.
Under the change, such businesses may now operate from 2 to 8 p.m. on Sundays and any time on national holidays.
The modification was part of an agreement that settles a lawsuit brought against the city by the owner of the Huff & Puff tobacco store at 1217 Main Ave. S.E.
As part of the settlement, Huff & Puff may continue to operate at its current location for one more year, after which it will be deemed to be out of compliance with city rules.
In other business, the council voted to support establishing an incentive plan that would give businesses that move to the city or expand current operations a break on their electric rates for five years.
The incentive, which could provide a business with savings worth $80,000 a year for five years, would apply only to new power usage.
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The proposal still needs Moorhead Public Service approval.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Olson at (701) 241-5555
