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Home My WebLink About03-24-10 (see sticky note) Special Called Meeting and Public Hearings of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of May 20, 2010 Members Present: Hal Lawler, Dottie Kaminski, Paul Berner, Les Bird, Doretta Finch, Richard Warren, Kirby Linscomb Jr., and David Janda (Alt 1). Members Absent: Lou Ann Martin (Alt 2). City Staff Present: Director of Planning, Tim Tietjens; City Planner, Masood Malik; City Attorney, Knox Askins; and Planning Assistant; Shannon Green. Others Present: 1. Call to Order. Meeting called to order by Chairman Hal Lawler at 6:02 p.m. 2. Consider Approval of the March 24, 2010, regular meeting minutes. Paul Berner advised there should be a correction to the March 24, 2010, meeting minutes. Commission suggested staff bring March 24, 2010, corrected meeting minutes to next the meeting for consideration. 3. Open Workshop to discuss zoning ordinance amendment related to the use of shipping container as an accessory structure. Chairman Hal Lawler opened the workshop at 6:07 pm. City Planner Masood Malik presented staff's report. Currently Shipping Containers are allowed to be used as "Temporary Material Storage "facilities on construction sites in all zoning districts except residential. In addition, commercial construction allowed in residential zoning districts (i.e. church, public/private schools, daycare, recreational buildings and community centers etc.) may use shipping containers as temporary material storage facilities. A Certificate of Occupancy is NOT issued until shipping container is removed from the site. Staff recommended the following proposed provisions: Shipping Container may be used as an accessory building . In all zoning districts . Maximum height - One Container . Roof and siding installed - siding to the structure wall (minimum 4' high) . Doors may remain uncovered . Painted to blend with primary structure - Y:z wall may be painted in an accent color In addition: . Building permit shall be applicable . Owner shall be responsible for its maintenance . Violation shall require compliance or removal of storage container from the site. Planning Director, Tim Tietjens explained residents are currently allowed shipping containers for storage use if contained within a building. We currently have several in the city. Commission recommended staff bring the matter back for another workshop with the following considerations: . Allow in Large Lot Zoning District . Structure to have standards . Siding all sides with pitched roof . Tie downs required . 1 unit per lot Workshop Zoning Ordinance Amendment (Shipping Container) Exhibits A. Staff Report B. Draft Ordinance Staff Report May 20, 2010 Shipping Containers Zoning Ordinance Amendment Background: The previous use of shipping containers (in an unaltered state) as accessory storage buildings prompted concern over aesthetics throughout town. In response to those concerns, Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council chose to prohibit their use except in industrial zones. Recently staff has received several requests on the use of shipping containers when modified to blend with the primary structures. In response to those requests, staff discussed current regulations and requested directions from City Council at the recent retreat on April 10th. Staff was directed to develop specifications for review by Planning and Zoning Commission. Shipping containers would be expected to comply with applicable district regulations and be modified to blend with the development at site. Staffs suggestions are as follows: Existing Requirement: (Section 106-751, Code of Ordinances) (a) Shipping Containers may be used as temporary material storage facilities on construction sites in all zoning districts except residential (R-l, R-2, and R-3). In addition, commercial construction allowed in residential zoning districts may use shipping containers as temporary material storage facilities. (Note: Certificate of Occupancy shall not be issued until shipping container is removed from the site.) Proposed Requirement: (b) Shipping containers may be used as an accessory building in all zones except PUD (SCUP on PUD development would have to authorize use). Containers shall be a maximum height of (1) container and shall have a roof and siding installed. Siding shall be attached to the structure walls (minimum of 4' high) but the doors may remain uncovered. Structure shall be painted to blend with the primary building; however, half walls (4' high) may be painted in an accent color. (c) A building permit shall be required. If deed restrictions are applicable, as part of the permit submittal, the owner shall provide the city with written authorization by the responsible association. Owner shall be responsible for continued maintenance andfor complying with all applicable permit conditions. Failure to comply with permit conditions shall constitute a violation of the permit. Such violation shall require compliance with the stated conditions or removal of the container from the property. Planning & Zoning Commission May 20, 2010 Shipping Containers Zoning Ordinance Amendment Page 2 of2 Conclusion: Staff suggests that the Planning and Zoning Commission forward their official position for action by City Council on the above amendments to Section 106-751 of the Code of Ordinances. Action by the Commission 1. Discuss the issues 2. The Commission may elect to: ~ Direct staff to develop recommendations based on P&Z input ~ Arrange a public hearing by next meeting ~ Make recommendations to City Council at the conclusion of a public hearing. ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS - SHIPPING CONTAINERS (Draft) RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT REGULATIONS Sec. 106-331. Table A, Residential Uses. R-l R-2 R-3 MH LL Toolhouses, sheds, storage building (non-commercial associated with residence) and shipping containers (see footnote 1) A A A A A Table A Footnote: 1: Shipping Container as an Accessory Structure. See Sec. 106-751, Shipping Containers for applicable requirements. --------------- --------------- COMMERCIAL DISTRICT REGULATIONS Sec. 106-441. Table A, Commercial Uses. CR NC GC MS Shipping Containers as Accessory Structure * See Sec. 106-751, Shipping Containers for applicable requirements -------------- -------------- INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT REGULATIONS Sec. 106-521. Table A, Industrial Uses. BI LI HI Shipping Container, or fabricated plate work (3443) Storage outside A (K) A (K) P(ACDEK) Footnote K: Shipping Container as an Accessory Structure - See Sec. 106-751, Shipping Containers for applicable requirements. ---------------- ---------------- ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS - CONTD. Sec. 106-751. Shipping Containers. Unaltered shipping containers may be used as temporary material storage facilities on construction sites in all zoning districts except residential (R-l, R-2, and R-3). In addition, commercial construction allowed in residential zoning districts may use shipping containers as temporary material storage facilities. (Note: Certificate of Occupancy shall not be issued until shipping container is removed from the site. Shipping containers may be used as an accessory building in all zones except PUD (SCUP on PUD development would have to authorize use). Containers shall be a maximum height of (1) container and shall have a roof and siding installed. Siding shall be attached to the structure walls (minimum of 4' high) but the doors may remain uncovered. Structure shall be painted to blend with the primary building; however, half walls (4' high) may be painted in an accent color A building permit shall be required. If deed restrictions are applicable, as part of the permit submittal, the owner shall provide the city with written authorization by the responsible association. Owner shall be responsible for continued maintenance and for complying with all applicable permit conditions. Failure to comply with permit conditions shall constitute a violation of the permit. Such violation shall require compliance with the stated conditions or removal of the container from the property.