Magid Farag asked the Board of Adjustment on July 7 for permission to keep a conex storage container on a residential lot at 1359 Polaris Drive after purchasing and painting the unit and securing some neighbor support. The board denied the request.

Farag said he bought the container to store materials during a multi‑year home renovation, painted it and obtained an engineer’s tie‑down as staff had advised him. He told the board neighbors had largely supported the container, and that he believed staff had told him completing certain checklist steps would make the container permanent. “I went to the city...they told me if you do 1 to 6, you're gonna get the permit,” he said.

Staff and board members clarified that the Unified Development Code (UDC) limits conex-style containers on a site to 60 days with a permit and that the applicant’s request was to make the structure permanent, which is a separate regulatory question. Board members expressed sympathy for the applicant’s financial situation and noted many letters of neighbor support but said they could not base approval solely on cost or neighborhood acceptance. After discussion a motion to deny the permanent placement was made, seconded and carried.

The board advised the applicant to work with staff on temporary permits and to return if circumstances change; staff will process any short‑term permits the applicant pursues.