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Resident urges council to allow shipping containers on larger residential lots; planner points to setbacks and lot-line limits
Summary
A resident asked council to revisit restrictions on shipping containers in residential areas, describing new "1 ship" containers and arguing they can help tidy yards; city planner said site plans must meet setbacks and containers cannot cross property lines, and council noted Title 17 amendments are underway.
Scott Clack, a Mills resident, asked the council to reconsider restrictions on shipping containers in residential zones, saying some containers are new, earth-toned and help residents clear clutter from yards.
Clack said he owns several "1 ship containers" and described them as largely undamaged and "tan color, so they're earth tones that go with everything." He said some older containers "look like hell" and should not be allowed, but argued that newer containers can be attractive and useful on larger lots. "I really think that that ought to be revisited and I think that there should be some, areas that it's accepted in even in the residential," Clack said.
During questions about timing and process, a council member referred Clack to the city planner. The planner said the proposed code amendments will not affect existing permits until the ordinance is fully recorded and that site plans must meet setbacks: structures cannot cross property lines and must meet minimum setbacks; containers may be permitted only if they are wholly located on a single lot and meet setback requirements.
Council members and staff told Clack the amendments to Title 17 are on a multi-step schedule: the council approved an initial reading of Title 17 amendments (Ordinance No. 8-23) and further readings are required before changes take effect. A council member noted there are "2 more votes to pass this," meaning the ordinance will return for additional readings before final adoption. The planner said Clack should work with planning staff on a site plan and that crossing property lines is not allowed.
Clack also asked whether zoning or building codes would allow modifications (for example, covering a container with barn wood) to improve visual appearance; staff suggested such alterations and permits should be discussed during site-plan review.
Clack raised a separate question about a water-bill "budget" option to smooth seasonal bills; the council took the suggestion as a public comment suggestion and referred it to staff for follow-up.
