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Item No: 6B <br />Meeting Date: February 6, 2013 <br />Type of Business: Other Planning Activity <br />City of Mounds View Staff Report <br /> <br /> <br />To: Mounds View Planning Commission <br />From: Heidi Heller, Planning Associate <br />Item Title/Subject: Discuss Proposed Code Amendment for Accessory Buildings – <br />Shipping Containers <br /> <br />Introduction: <br />Community Development staff is asked by residents what styles or types of “buildings” or materials <br />are allowed to be used as accessory buildings. The zoning code specifies a few types of materials <br />that are not allowed (such as tubular and canvas structures) and states that the exterior must be <br />weather resistant. City staff has recently discovered a couple of residential properties in the City <br />that are using steel shipping container as sheds. Staff does not feel that this type of structure is <br />appropriate in a residential district (or possibly in any zoning district), and suggested that the <br />Planning Commission consider adding language to the zoning code that would not allow these to <br />be used as storage buildings. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br />At the January 2, 2013 Planning Commission meeting, the Commission agreed with staff that <br />shipping containers are not appropriate as a permanent use in residential districts, but felt that <br />there are situations where these, or other portable storage containers, could be allowed <br />temporarily. Construction projects or moving are the primary reasons that a resident would have a <br />need for a storage container for a short period of time. <br /> <br />Several ordinance examples from other cities are included in this staff report for the Commission <br />to review. They all are adding regulations for storage containers. Some cities are only allowing <br />them temporarily and others also allow them for long term storage. Most of the ordinances <br />address the same things and are worded very similar. Staff supports allowing the containers for <br />short periods of time, but not for long term storage. Staff would also recommend not allowing the <br />existing shipping containers in the City to remain as non-conforming. Language could be added <br />that addresses the existing containers and gives the property owner a certain amount of time to <br />remove the container. <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br />Staff recommends that the Planning Commission review and discuss the information, and provide <br />staff with additional direction about the proposed amendment. <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted. <br /> Heidi Heller <br />Planning Associate <br /> <br />Attachments: <br />1. Current Mounds View Zoning Code for Accessory Buildings <br />2. Ordinance examples that regulate shipping containers