Commission tables decision on shipping containers at Ridgemont Drive hotel after lengthy discussion

The Abilene Planning and Zoning Commission tabled a request from the owner of a hotel at 4250 Ridgemont Drive to amend Planned Development District 15 to allow freight (shipping) containers on the property, staff and the owner said.

Planner Clarissa presented the case and said the property’s current planned development does not include freight containers. She said staff recommended denial because the proposal is inconsistent with the comprehensive plan and the local development code. Clarissa noted several concerns: the containers would occupy approved parking spaces, would be difficult to screen from a nearby multi-family residential building, and could impede circulation at the end of the hotel driveway. She also said that although general commercial zoning can allow containers subject to conditions, in this instance the site layout would make effective screening difficult.

Ed Lassiter, the hotel owner and a president in the MCM El Gigante hotel chain, told the commission most of the containers were already on the site when his company acquired the hotel in 2004. He said the units store overflow furniture, carpets and other hotel-operational items and that many local hotels use similar containers for storage. He offered to paint the containers to match the hotel, keep them in good repair, and reduce the number if necessary.

Commissioners expressed concerns about the containers’ appearance, proximity to apartments and code compliance. Several commissioners said they would prefer a compromise solution such as consolidating fewer containers in a corner, screening with plantings or fencing, or repainting the containers to match the hotel. One commissioner said denying the request outright would force the owner to reapply and pay another fee and preferred allowing time to find alternatives.

The applicant said he would work with staff to explore relocation, consolidation or screening and asked for one month to return with options. The commission then voted to table the item to the next month’s agenda to allow the owner to meet with planning staff and present alternatives. Staff noted that tabling would avoid an immediate denial and the need for reapplication fees while preserving the commission’s ability to deny the amendment later.

Clarissa and the applicant will coordinate on potential mitigation measures, including reducing the number of containers, relocating them within the site, repainting or screening them with landscaping or fencing. The item will return to the commission at the next scheduled meeting for further action.