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Home My WebLink About2021-04 Communications Re Garage Converted Workspace CITY OF f , � � OAK PARK HEIGHTS . 14168 Oak Park Boulevard North • Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 • Phone:651/439-4439 • Fax:651/439-0574 a April 5, 2021 HAN D-DELIVERD Mr. Michael DeMeglio or Current Occupant 15174 64th St. N. Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Re: Remodeling Inquiry—Work Permits Required—Stop Work Notice Property Address: 15174 64th St. N. Dear Mr. DeMeglio or Current Occupant: There has been work done at the above-reference property address resulting in a non-conformity to the single-family dwelling, through the removal of its garage parking. It appears that the garage has been converted into a living or space other than that of a garage. Chapter 300 of City Ordinance adopts the Minnesota State Building Code, which includes adoption of the International Codes for heating, mechanical, fuel gas and fire protection as well as the National Electric Code. These Codes and City Ordinance require permits and inspections for work performed in relation to remodeling, etc. Contractors performing work are required to have a MN State License or a local license based upon their trade. I have received no request for a work permit or inquiry as to the suitability of such conversion. This letter serves as my notice to you to immediately: > Stop Work; and > Cease any use of the space as living area. Contact me no later than Thursday, April 15, 2021 to discuss what is occurring at the property. Creating a non-conformance to as per City Ordinance 401 and working without a permit are violations of City Ordinance and State Law. � , A � 3+ ,' •i Sincerely, _ . y PLANING & CODE ENFORCEMENT 4 /� �_ ' 11 Jul a �iultman Bui ing Official ` "Ik 1 w y, i, v. - c:Eric Johnson, City Administrators T ; , ` Tree City U.S.A. Julie Hultman From: Nikki Griffin <glassesgriffin@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 7, 2021 12:57 PM To: Julie Hultman Subject: Remodeling inquiry Attachments: Electrical Permit.pdf Follow Up Flag: Follow up Due By: Monday, April 12, 2021 10:00 AM Flag Status: Flagged Hi Julie, Michael gave me a letter that you dropped at our home on 15174 64th St N but he was pretty confused about what was said for most of the conversation. My understanding from this letter is that you have not been shown any permits for our electrical work. We did have our electrical panel upgraded and there is a permit for it, but it looks like it's with Washington County and not Oak Park heights. Is that going to be a problem for us? I just paid the contractor for a permit and I didn't follow up on it, however I printed this attachment and will post it in the window. In addition, Blake said we are not allowed to have a property in Oak Park Heights without a garage?? We do intend to build a garage addition, since we took the existing space for Michael's workroom. However I own a retail store and we got our butts kicked financially last year, and then construction costs tripled so that was fun. I think it's going to be a year or so before we can pursue building. Maybe you can help us to decide what our options are based on the city codes.That will help us finalize a plan to go forward. Making a workshop out of a garage is one thing, but I don't want to get into a huge construction project and find out later that we are out of compliance and have to start over. It was a huge surprise that we even needed a permit to put in the doors! What else do you need from us to help us get on track? I look forward to meeting you one day! Nikki DeMeglio Julie Hultman From: Julie Hultman Sent: Monday, April 12, 2021 9:10 AM To: 'Nikki Griffin' Subject: RE: Remodeling inquiry Importance: High Hi Nikki— Thanks for touching base. I did stop by and visit Michael. Blake also stopped over. I had stopped by to deliver a letter with regard to work that has been done to the garage space, converting it into something other than a garage. Michael said that you folks hired a contractor and wanted to convert the space into a studio for his painting. We did talk about City ordinance requirements for garages and about construction permits also. I had noted that if electrical work was done, that those permits were pulled through the MN Dept of Labor and Industry—Electrical Division and inspected by them. I am glad to see that this was done. I did not receive a contact call for a permit or for the work to the garage modifications. By adopted MN Code alterations to homes most often require a work permit of some kind (construction, mechanical, plumbing) as there are Code requirements for structures, insulation, air and such. A garage simply cannot be converted to habitable living space to a home with the replacement of its overhead door with a French p c door and side lights. MN Code also requires those g q performing work services as such to be licensed by the State for their trade. Garage space parking is required. Your conversion of the single stall garage into a living space creates a non-conformity and is a violation of City Ordinance. It is not to be used for living space and no further work to this space is to occur. Michael also mentioned a future plan to construct a new garage as well as potentially conduct business from the existing garage studio for his art. I have spoke with City Administrator Eric Johnson with regard to the matter. We would like to meet with you and Michael on the mater,via zoom. Would you and Michael be available for a zoom meeting Wednesday around 10:30 a.m. or noon? I look forward to meeting you also and am hopeful that we can find a workable solution. Sincerely, Julie Hultman, Building Official Planning&Code Enforcement City of Oak Park Heights W,F.r,r.. 6S:25.1661 ,n n@;citvofoa[parkheights.com 1 Julie Hultman From: Julie Hultman Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2021 1:10 PM To: 'Nikki Griffin' Subject: Garage/Studio and Things Attachments: Home Occupation Permit Application.pdf Hi Nikki & Michael— Thanks for visiting with Eric and I yesterday. It was great to get clarification on things. I have attached the Home Occupation Permit application and City Ordinance language for your review and use. Per our conversation, the garage is simply being used as a workspace for Michael's art at this time. No changes to the garage outside of the electrical work and change out to the doors as discussed and already done. As noted, by Eric, as long as this is the case and the garage is capable of being used as a garage and a car being placed to its interior it is good. When you decide what you want to do to the exterior to finish it, let me know and we can discuss if anything is needed in the way of a permit. If you opt to fully convert the space at some point and make it habitable space,you will need to bring it into compliance to MN Code as adopted at that time.The full set of Codes can be viewed at the MN Dept of Labor and Industry website. I have attached a link to this section of their webpage for your use. 2020 Minnesota State Building Codes I Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (mn.gov) MN Code considers a habitable space to be a space in a building used for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage or utility spaces and similar areas are not considered habitable spaces. Here are a few of the immediate references that would apply to the creation of a habitable space. (R303) Light,ventilation and heating Habitable rooms must have 8 percent of the floor area as natural light and 4 percent of the floor area as natural ventilation (see exceptions). Bathrooms must have 3 square feet of natural light and 1.5 square feet of natural ventilation (see exception). Mechanical ventilation must comply with Minnesota Rules 1322. Dwelling must be capable of maintaining a minimum room temperature of 68 degrees at three feet above the floor and two feet from the exterior walls (excludes use of portable heaters). (R304) Minimum room areas Habitable rooms must be at least 70 square feet in area and not less than 7 feet in any direction (except kitchens). (R310) Emergency escape and rescue openings Basements, habitable attics and every sleeping room must have at least one operable emergency escape and rescue opening of 5.7 square feet. (See code for minimum dimensions). (R314) Smoke alarms are required in each sleeping room, immediate vicinity of the bedrooms, and on each additional story of the dwelling including basements and habitable attics. (R315) 1 Carbon monoxide alarms are required in every dwelling unit having fuel-fired appliance or attached garage. MR 1322—Residential Energy Code Dwellings must comply with the Minnesota Energy Code. MR 1346—Mechanical Code Dwellings must comply with the Minnesota Mechanical Code. MR 1315— Electrical Code All electrical service, wiring and fixtures for the structure must comply with the National Electrical Code. Again, thank you for finding time to visit with us. Please reach out anytime when I might be of assistance. 4:4 Julie Hultman, Building Official Planning&Code Enforcement City of Oak Park Heights WPhone:651.351.1661 Fay 651.439.0574 hultman@cityofoal:parkheights.com 2