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Item No: 6A <br />Meeting Date: March 20, 2013 <br />Type of Business: Other Planning Activity <br /> <br /> City of Mounds View Staff Report <br />To: 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 often asked by residents what styles or types of “buildings” or <br />materials are allowed to be used as accessory buildings. The zoning code specifies a few types <br />of materials that are not allowed (such as tubular and canvas structures) and states that the <br />exterior must be weather resistant and there must be a slope to the roof, but not much more. City <br />staff has recently discovered a couple of residential properties in the City that are using cargo <br />shipping containers as sheds. Staff does not feel that this type of industrial structure is <br />appropriate in a residential district, and suggested that the Planning Commission consider adding <br />language to the zoning code that would not allow these to 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 types of portable storage containers (such as PODS), <br />could be allowed temporarily. Construction projects or moving are the primary reasons that a <br />resident would have a temporary need for a storage container. <br /> <br />At the February 6, 2013 Planning Commission meeting, the Commission and staff reviewed <br />several ordinance examples from other cities, and the Commission gave staff feedback on what <br />regulations they would like to see in an ordinance. The Commission supported allowing the <br />containers for short periods of time, but not for permanent use, and also recommends not allowing <br />the existing cargo containers in the City to remain as non-conforming. Staff reviewed this code <br />amendment with the City Council at the March 4, 2013 Worksession, and the Council is <br />supportive of moving forward with this amendment. <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br />Staff has put together an ordinance adding regulations for cargo containers in to the City Code for <br />the Commission to review. <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted. <br /> Heidi Heller <br />Planning Associate <br /> <br />Attachments: <br />1. Proposed Ordinance