Planning Commission advances ordinance amendment to allow shipping containers with rules

The Newaygo City Planning Commission voted Sept. 5 to begin an ordinance amendment process that would permit shipping/cargo/storage containers in select zoning districts under a set of proposed regulations.

City Manager Jon Schneider told commissioners the issue had been under discussion for months and that staff had prepared draft rules and options. "The City has three general options for regulating shipping/cargo/storage containers: 1. Ban or prohibit them. 2. Allow them with regulations 3. Allow them with little or no regulations," Schneider said, summarizing the choices presented to the Commission.

A resident, Buck Chapman, urged the Commission to allow at least limited use of containers on private property. "I have utilized a shipping cargo container for storage at my residence in Florida for approximately 20 years and recently moved to Newaygo and would like to be allowed to keep the container at my residency in Newaygo," Chapman said, adding that he has painted the container and would make further enhancements if the city allows it.

Schneider outlined the staff-proposed regulatory framework: a focused definition that excludes moving containers, truck/semi trailers, contractor office trailers and tanks; permitted zoning districts limited to Rural Residential (RR), Single Family Residential (R-1), Highway Business (B-2) and Industrial (I-1); parcel-size, number and maximum dimension limits; placement and aesthetic requirements; a requirement that a principal building be present on the parcel before a container is installed; prohibition on storing hazardous materials; a ban on human habitation in containers; and the need for zoning and building permits.

Commissioners discussed implementation details including whether a slab or foundation should be required and signaled that a public hearing would be required if the ordinance amendment is drafted. After discussion, Vice-Chair Fedell moved and Faulkner seconded a motion to proceed with the ordinance amendment process using the proposed regulations; the motion passed unanimously (recorded as AIF/MC).","sections":{"lede":"The Newaygo City Planning Commission voted Sept. 5 to start an ordinance amendment process to allow shipping/cargo/storage containers under proposed restrictions.","nut_graf":"City Manager Jon Schneider presented three regulatory options and detailed proposed rules — including permitted zones, size and placement limits, and permit requirements — after a resident urged the Commission to permit containers on private property.","ending":"The Commission approved taking the next step in the ordinance amendment process; a public hearing will be required if a formal amendment is drafted."},