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Johns Creek staff proposes limited temporary outdoor-storage permits; council debates duration and landlord role
Summary
Staff presented an amendment to allow limited temporary outdoor storage (portable containers) via administrative permit with options ranging from 30 to 120 days and parcel-level limits; council debated whether repeated permits would create de facto permanent storage, landlord vs tenant roles, permit fees and enforcement, and asked staff to return with refinements in August.
City planning staff presented a proposed zoning text amendment to allow limited temporary outdoor storage for commercial properties and sought council direction on duration, frequency and operational standards.
Director Song told council that staff recommends an administrative-permit approach with three possible duration structures: 30 days up to six times per year, 90 days up to four times per year, or 120 days up to three times per year. Staff proposed standards to limit impacts: containers must be located in the rear yard, maintain a minimum 10-foot setback, not be visible from the public right-of-way, occupy no more than 306 square feet, not exceed 8 feet in height, and would prohibit tractor-trailer (18-wheel) storage units.
Councilors pressed staff on how many concurrent permits should be allowed per parcel and who should manage tenant access to limited space. The chair asked, in effect, why the city would limit the number rather than letting shopping-center managers decide; Director Song said parcel-level controls reflect how centers are built out and aim to avoid operational conflicts with anchors, loading areas and residential neighbors. Director Song also confirmed landlord permission would be required with each application and noted the application would typically include a site plan or aerial and a landlord-signed letter of permission.
Several councilors warned that frequent renewals could make the temporary permit functionally permanent. One councilor observed that seasonal businesses need repeat access and suggested using existing seasonal-business permits where appropriate; Director Song said seasonal permits are a separate administrative pathway and emphasized staff’s intent that this provision be a temporary, limited option rather than a substitute for permanent accessory structures.
Staff estimated the administrative fee at about $100 and said many applications could be handled with an aerial and a landlord letter rather than a full engineering submission. Councilors requested clearer rules on parcel vs tenant limits, possible acreage thresholds, and more detail on enforcement and landlord responsiveness. The council did not adopt an ordinance at the work session; staff will take the draft through the planning commission and return to council in August with revised language.
What’s next: Staff to refine the administrative-permit language (including duration, concurrency limits and cost) and return to planning commission and then to city council for formal consideration in August.
