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Council approves two-year special permit for storage container at 84 Madison Street with conveyance clause
Summary
The City Council granted Brian Moses a two‑year special permit to keep an 8×20 storage container at 84 Madison Street, conditioned so the permit expires if the property is sold. Councilors also asked the administration to review the ordinance language to limit long-term containers and return recommendations to committee.
The City Council on March 18 approved a special permit allowing a permanent-style storage container on private property at 84 Madison Street for two years, with a condition that the permit expire if the property is later conveyed.
Applicant Brian Moses said the 8-by-20-foot container stores lawn furniture and other yard items and that the container met inspectional-services requirements. The matter had been continued from February.
Why it matters: Councilors said the city’s ordinance has created a steady stream of similar requests because temporary storage permits issued by inspectional services last only six months; longer use requires council approval. Councilors debated whether to permit containers as de facto sheds, set a time limit, and require reapplication or building-permit conversion if owners keep them long-term.
Council action and conditions: The council approved the special permit 11–0. The decision includes two conditions: (1) the permit runs for two years from the date of approval; (2) the permit is personal to the current owner and expires automatically on transfer or conveyance of the property (the new owner may apply for a new permit). Councilors and the city solicitor also recommended referring a broader revision of the ordinance to a subcommittee to clarify definitions and enforcement (for example, what distinguishes a temporary storage container from a permanent shed and whether foundations/blocks change legal status).
Applicant and neighborhood details: Moses testified the container is primarily for lawn items and that he supplied photos and the building inspector had confirmed it met the department’s requirements. Councilors noted the structure was tidy and not in evident violation of safety or zoning bodies’ comments.
Next steps: Councilors asked that staff and legal counsel examine the ordinance and return recommended amendments to define permanence, foundation requirements and permit processes. The permit conditions approved by the council require removal only if the property is conveyed and the new owner chooses not to seek a permit.
Ending: The permit passed on a roll-call vote of 11 yays, 0 nays; the council instructed staff to place a study of the ordinance and more specific standards on a subcommittee agenda.
