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<br />Staff Report <br /> <br />September 16,2010 <br /> <br />Shipping Containers as an Accessory Structure <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />The use of shipping containers as accessory storage structures has prompted aesthetic <br />concerns in the City. The Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council have <br />chosen to prohibit their use except in industrial zoning districts. Staff has received several <br />requests for the use of shipping containers when modified to blend with the primary <br />structure or with a cover/shell around it. This issue was discussed at the City Council <br />retreat earlier this year. City Council directed staff to develop standards/specifications for <br />the conversion of shipping containers to accessory structures when they meet elevation <br />and building code requirements and review with the Planning and Zoning Commission. <br /> <br />Existing provisions of shipping containers usage was presented during a workshop <br />meeting with the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Commission discussed <br />proposed requirements, aesthetic considerations and zoning districts appropriate for its <br />use as an accessory structure. <br /> <br />Analysis: <br /> <br />Definition: Shipping Containers mean sealable shipping containers, designedfor <br />intermodal transportation, either with or without a permanent affixed chassis, used in <br />intrastate, interstate and international commerce for the shipment of goods and <br />merchandise. (Section 106-1) <br /> <br />Classifications: <br /> <br />Existing Usage <br />Currently, shipping containers are being used as follows: <br /> <br />. Shipping container storage yard is a permitted use in Heavy Industrial (HI) zoning <br />districts. Shipping/Cargo containers stacking and other development regulations <br />are described in the Code of Ordinances. <br />. Shipping containers, on the chassis in transition for loading/unloading, are <br />allowed in the Light Industrial (Ll) zoning districts abutting truck routes. <br />. Shipping containers are allowed to be used as a temporary material storage <br />facility on construction sites in all zoning districts except R-I, R-2, & R-3. <br />. Shipping containers are allowed to be used as a temporary material storage <br />facility for commercial construction allowed in residential zoning districts, i.e. <br />church, public/private schools, daycare, recreational buildings & community <br />centers etc. However, a certificate of occupancy is not issued until the shipping <br />container is removed from the site. <br /> <br />Note: The aforementioned scenarios are not a part of discussion. <br /> <br />EXHIBIT A <br />