Committee approves new seasonal storage category, eases permit process for temporary units

The Business Economic Development Committee voted to change the city’s temporary‑storage rules, adding a new seasonal‑storage use and simplifying approval requirements for temporary storage.

Planning officer Anya Collette presented the amendments and said staff would add a seasonal storage category to cover storage units placed on a site for parts of the year and then removed. “We’re proposing to add that as a separate piece,” she said, and noted the seasonal use would be limited to 180 days on site and would not be allowed in residential zones or flood hazard areas.

Collette said staff are also proposing to remove several subjective standards for temporary storage approvals — including aesthetic‑impact and screening requirements — and to change review from the board of appeals to a certificate‑of‑occupancy process. The draft would retain limits so units cannot circumvent building‑coverage maximums and would keep the prohibition on using storage units for advertising or retail.

Councilors asked about the setback and what the units look like; Collette said seasonal storage would be set back at least 10 feet from a property line and described the units as trailers or Connex‑type boxes. Councilors also discussed enforcement, sequential permitting and liability for food or processed goods sold from stands.

A motion to adopt the amended temporary‑storage item (including a 10‑foot setback for seasonal units) was moved, seconded and approved by roll call. The chair announced the motion carried.