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LCUAS mobile office delayed by permitting snag; $2,100 storage bill looms
Summary
The Laredo Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability told its board that a purchased mobile office cannot be installed until the city approves a site plan and building description; the seller’s mover failed to obtain required registration, and storage charges have accumulated to about $2,100 if moved on Nov. 18.
The Laredo Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability (LCUAS) board was told that a purchased mobile office has been held up by permitting and mover-registration problems, leaving the nonprofit facing mounting storage fees.
Executive Director Jose Joe Garcia told the board the organization was told it will “need to pay $2,100 for storage fee” if the unit is moved on the planned Nov. 18 date, because daily storage charges of $100 have accrued while the installation permit issue was unresolved. Garcia said the seller’s moving company did not have the city registration required to file for the installation permit and later declined to complete the process, forcing LCUAS to find a different mover or negotiate with the seller.
City community development staff told the board that the lease and city rules require a submitted site plan and a written building description before the city can approve placement of a temporary structure. A city staff member said, “what the city needs to proceed is a site plan, and they need the site plan and where the building could be placed,” and that the lease requires written clearance for additional buildings before installation can proceed.
Board members said the seller should have provided or arranged authorized carriers in advance; several urged negotiating with the seller and mover to reduce the storage fees. The board agreed to assemble a small committee to prepare and submit a site plan and the mobile office’s specifications (size, whether plumbing/electrical connections are planned, and setbacks) to community development so the city staff can re-evaluate the request.
Next steps recorded by the board include producing a site plan and formal building description for community development, meeting with city staff and the mover to resolve outstanding permit and location concerns, and pursuing negotiation with the seller about storage charges. The board requested the committee report back to the full board with an update on the permit approval and any revised cost estimate for storage or moving fees.
