Portable shipping containers on city’s work session agenda

The Hays City Commission will re-examine its policies on using portable shipping containers for storage, a continuation of a discussion that began last year with a debate over zoning regulations.

The units are on the AGENDA for the commission’s work session, scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall.

The current ordinance, in place since 2008, allows the units to be used for storage on a temporary basis. That ordinance also did not apply to several existing units, which were grandfathered in as existing nonconforming structures.

In a memo to commissioners, Jessie Rohr — superintendent of planning, inspection and enforcement — said staff has researched ordinances in other communities and considered several options, including creating a set of regulations for permanent placement of the units.

The recommendations are for discussion purposes only, Rohr said.

Among the items staff is recommending the commission consider are:

• Allow shipping containers as an accessory use only and subject to the requirements of the zoning district in which they are located.

• Containers shall meet all adopted building and fire code requirements including tie downs, setbacks, etc.

• All signage on the container shall be removed and the container painted an earth-tone color or a color compatible with the adjacent surrounding properties, or the container shall be sided with a siding material compatible with the surrounding environment and adjacent structures.
• Containers shall be safe, structurally sound and in good repair.
• Any container that becomes unsound, unstable or otherwise dangerous, as determined by the city, shall be immediately repaired or removed by the property owner.
• Containers shall not be stored in a manner that impedes access to public rights of way, public utility or drainage easements, adjacent structures or buildings.
• Materials stored inside the container shall only include items normally associated with the business use of the property.
• Properties upon which the container(s) are located shall have a minimum lot size of 1 acre.
• Containers shall be placed on a stable surface.
• Containers shall be set back a minimum of 35 feet from property lines, except front property lines, in which the setback shall be a minimum of 100 feet. At no time shall the containers be placed between the main structure and public street.
• Containers shall be setback a minimum of 100 feet from any property zoned or used for residential land uses.
• End-to-end grouping of containers shall not exceed two containers in length.
• At no time shall the containers be utilized as rental units to anyone other than the property owner or property lessee of the existing on-site business enterprise where the unit is placed.
• At no time shall any containers be placed as a permanent use in any residential zoned district within the city.