Krebs planning board asks council to require permits, surveys for storage containers

The Krebs Planning and Zoning Commission on March 4 voted to recommend that the City Council require building permits and property surveys for Davis buildings, Conex boxes, milvan containers, prebuilt sheds and similar storage containers, citing concerns about setbacks, easements and stormwater runoff.

"I think we need to try to do something to enforce the setbacks and stuff like that because I know a lot of people are putting them right on the fence lines," Committee member Larry Coxsey said during the discussion, urging that a permit requirement include a survey so the city can verify offsets and avoid placing structures on easements. Chairman Mark Moy said a permit should require a survey: "With a building permit we are requesting they have a survey, correct?" he asked.

The commission's referral asks the council to review ordinance language and consult the city attorney before action. Coxsey moved to send the recommendation to council with attorney guidance; Richard Cotton seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Members also debated how to enforce standards already in the city's code and whether existing structures could be remedied; Chairman Moy noted there was little the board could do about units already placed: "There is nothing they can do about it if it's already there," he said.

Discussion then turned to who would inspect work and whether the city should hire a contract inspector paid per job. The board weighed interim steps such as requiring trade certificates (concrete, plumbing, electrical) until the city secures an inspector. Chairman Moy offered a rough fee example during the conversation: "approximately $10 for the first thousand square feet and a dollar for each additional square foot," but the commission took no fee vote and instead tabled fee-setting pending additional research and legal input.

The referral to council and the decision to require permits aim to give the city a mechanism to enforce setbacks, protect easements and manage stormwater impacts while the council and attorney craft implementing language. The commission said the council will decide any fee structure and the attorney will advise on enforcement options.