Fenton board proposes tighter rules for storage containers, schedules local-law process

Supervisor David Gunster said the Town Board on June 3 proposed revisions to the Town's Storage Container Law 119A to clarify how many containers are allowed per parcel and to set new size and appearance limits.

Gunster, the Town Supervisor, presented specific language changes including: requiring container allowances be tied to a parcel rather than a property owner; expanding the maximum container length in the proposed text from 20 feet to 40 feet; requiring containers be painted or treated to complement the surrounding area when there is no primary structure; and limiting allowable containers by parcel size (one 10'x20 container for parcels under 2 acres; either two 10'x20 containers or one 10'x40 container for parcels over 2 acres). Board members also directed that a height limit be added to prevent stacking of containers.

Town Attorney Richard H. Miller, III said he will draft the Local Law based on the suggested edits, circulate it to the board, and submit it for the required Broome County 239 review. The board set a public hearing for the Local Law to be held at the July work session, pending the 239 review.

The Zoning Board of Appeals recently denied a use variance request for a storage container; the applicant was advised they may resubmit for an area variance. That ZBA action was discussed by the board during deliberations on the ordinance changes.

The board's revisions focus on clarifying enforcement and creating objective dimensional and appearance standards rather than expanding discretionary approvals. No final law was adopted on June 3; next steps are drafting, county review, and a July public hearing where the public can comment before any adoption vote.

Ending: The board's next formal step is Attorney Miller's draft and the county's 239 review ahead of the July work session public hearing.