2000-03-27 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of La Porte City Council

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Agenda Date Requested: March 27, 000 Requested By: Doug Kneuppe Department: Planning Report Re lution XXX Ordinance Exhibits: 1. Ordinance 1501- 2. Exhibits Summary & Recommendation At their October 11, 1999 meeting the City Council requested the Planning and Zoning Commission to assess and make recommendations, regarding zoning ordinance requirements related to the outside storage of shipping containers. On December 16, 1999 staff presented several options and requested further direction from the Planning and Zoning Commission. During its February 17, 2000 meeting the Commission, held a public hearing to receive citizen comments regarding proposed zoning ordinance changes related to the outside storage of shipping containers. At the February 17, 2000 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the following recommendations: a) Outside storage of shipping containers, as a principle use should be allowed only in Heavy Industrial (Ill) zoning districts. b) Use of shipping containers, as accessory buildings should be eliminated. c) The use of shipping containers, as temporary storage facilities at constructions sites would be allowed in all zoning districts with the exception of the residential districts (R-1, R-2, R-3 and MH). d) The setbacks for the outside storage of shipping containers will be similar to those established for Heavy Industrial (HI) with fifty (50) foot front setbacks, fifty (50) foot rear setbacks, and thirty (30) foot side setbacks. When, the site is adjacent to residential zones the setbacks will be 100-foot setback front, 150-foot rear setback and 150 foot side setback. e) Landscaping/screening for shipping container facilities. (1) The property owner or tenant shall provide screening. This will be accomplished in one of three ways: a Leave in place existing trees, vegetation, underbrush, etc. to provide a thorough, continuous and effective opaque visual screening of the shipping container development. b Construct earthen berms with a combination of trees, shrubs, and ground cover that after three (3) years will be at least twenty (20) feet in height and creates a continuous visual screen. c Develop a screening plan that would be approved by the City that includes a combination of trees, shrubs, and ground cover that after three years will be at least twenty (20) feet in height and creates a continuous visual screen. (2) The property owner or tenant will provide screening along the frontage of the site and along the side yards for a distance of fifty (50) feet. In the event that the site is adjacent to a commercial or residential use, the screening shall be required for the entire length of the adjacent yard area. (3) All required screening shall be adjusted away from overhead power lines to allow for full maturity of the trees without unnecessary trimming or topping of the trees. 1) Shipping containers will be allowed to be stacked to a height of thirty-six (36) feet or four (4) shipping containers. g) A `pyramid' appearance shall be applied to the frontage area only. The initial row shall not exceed two (2) containers in height, with each successive interior row gaining one container in height to a maximum of four (4) stacked containers. For the sides beyond the front area the `pyramid' appearance shall not be applied. The above mentioned recommendations promote a more visually appealing appearance for the business engaged in outside storage of shipping containers. This will enhance the quality of the community through the establishment of criteria and standards identified by these amendments. Action Required by Council Consider approval of an ordinance regarding amendment to the zoning ordinance related to the outside storage of sluj pigg containers. Z oc> Robert T. Herrera Date City Manager