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Mounds View Planning Commission <br />Regular Meeting <br />January 2, 2013 <br />Page 3 <br />zoning code specifies a few types of materials that are not allowed (such as tubular and canvas <br />structures) and states that the exterior must be weather resistant. <br />Associate Heller indicated the Planning Commission has made changes to the zoning code <br />regarding accessory buildings, and there has been a lot of discussion over how much to regulate <br />the styles of these buildings. Regulations for the roof pitch and style were added to the Code a <br />few years ago, but in general, the Planning Commission has decided not to regulate the building <br />style. The exception to this is when a conditional use permit is approved for a structure over 952 <br />square feet. One of the conditions is that the accessory building shall have a uniform appearance <br />with the house. <br />Associate Heller explained that staff has recently discovered a residential property in the City <br />that is using a steel shipping container as a shed. Staff does not feel that this type of structure is <br />appropriate in a residential district (or possibly any zoning district) and is suggesting that the <br />Planning Commission consider adding language to the zoning code that would not allow these to <br />be used as storage buildings. Staff requested the Commission discuss the information and <br />provide staff with direction on how to proceed with the proposed amendment. <br />Commissioner Smith indicated that the flat roof of the steel shipping container was not allowed <br />per the existing zoning code, so is that enough to eliminate the concern of residents using these. <br />Associate Heller feared that the property owner could build a make -shift pitched roof over this <br />container in order to make it compliant with the code. <br />Commissioner Carvelli-Yu understood the shipping containers could be rented for moving <br />purposes. She asked how long the unit has been onsite. <br />Associate Heller stated the container has been on this property for several years. <br />Chair Stevenson inquired how long a "pod" unit could be stored on a property. <br />Associate Heller explained the City worked with homeowners that are moving or working <br />through remodeling projects on the length of time that a storage container is kept on the property. <br />Chair Stevenson suggested that temporary "pods" and roll -off dumpsters be addressed in <br />conjunction with the accessory building zoning code language. <br />Associate Heller stated timelines could be developed for temporary use of storage pods and <br />dumpsters. <br />Chair Stevenson did not see that the shipping container was an acceptable storage shed. <br />Commissioner Rundle agreed. <br />