Haslet board asks mayor and council to explore dedicated storage after recurring rental costs; ordinances limit temporary shipping containers

The Haslet Parks and Recreation Board reviewed recurring costs for off-site storage of park and holiday decorations and moved to ask the mayor and city council to examine potential space options on city property.

Board members said the board currently pays about $581 per month for rental storage and noted the inconvenience and recurring expense. Staff said zoning and city ordinances restrict long-term placement of shipping containers on the current site; a temporary container is allowable for up to 60 days without a variance. Engineering and budgeted plans include a 40-by-100 warehouse (and a potential 40-by-60 space near the fire station) intended to provide multi-department storage, but staff could not give a firm timeline for construction.

The board voted to seek the mayor's assistance and request that city council study options for a park-board-designated storage facility — whether a dedicated barn-style building on city land, a designated area within planned warehouse space, or a permitted temporary solution. Board members emphasized the need to preserve interior workspace at the Park Board building and reduce repeated rental expenses.

Staff noted that placing a shipping container on city property without a variance could be complicated and that a permanent building may require different approvals; the board asked staff to consult the building official and the city attorney as needed. The motion to ask the mayor and council to explore options passed.

Next steps: staff will present information on zoning, cost estimates, and the timeline for the budgeted multi-department storage building to inform council action.