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Nonprofit seeks permission to build storage building near Memorial Park, commission asks for drawings and safeguards
Summary
Sean Hayes, president of the Unison Birth of July committee, asked the City Commission for conceptual approval to place a volunteer-built storage building at Memorial Park to consolidate parade equipment; commissioners asked for site drawings, setbacks to protect the memorial and planning commission review.
Sean Hayes, president of the Unison Birth of July committee, asked the City Commission on March 25 for conceptual approval to place a storage building at the park on Memorial Drive to hold parade and event materials.
Hayes told the commission the nonprofit is a 501(c)(3) and would pay for all labor, materials and insurance. He proposed a structure roughly 24 by 32 feet (he said dimensions can be adjusted), said the building would be set back from the memorial and that no fireworks would be stored there — only a small amount of fuel in equipment if necessary. “There’s plenty of room down there,” Hayes said, adding that consolidating materials would reduce the logistical burden of moving equipment across the county.
Commission members welcomed the idea in principle but said they were not prepared to grant final approval without a formal site plan. The chair and other commissioners said they were concerned about how close the building would sit to the memorial and noted the veterans’ group that helps maintain the memorial (referred to in the discussion as the VBA) is involved with the property. Commissioners asked Hayes to provide drawings and to submit the proposal to the planning commission for site-plan review and setback verification. One commissioner suggested incorporating a design element, such as a mural, to visually tie the structure to the memorial area.
Hayes said the group could adjust dimensions and would measure constraints such as the length of adjacent railcars before finalizing plans. Commissioners said they expect a site plan, measurements and confirmation of setbacks before any permit is issued.
The commission did not take a formal vote on the request on March 25; Hayes said the group hopes to move quickly and would aim for spring construction if approvals can be secured. The next procedural step agreed by the commission was for Hayes to submit drawings and for staff to schedule the item for planning-commission review.
