Zoning bylaw amendments which will create regulations around the use of shipping containers has been tabled by Yorkton Council at its regular meeting Monday, May 14.
First discussed by Council Apr. 23, Michael Eger Director of Planning, Building & Development with the City, reviewed some of the key issues discussed then. They included:
• the need to cap the amount of time a shipping container can remain on a residential site;
• fees for temporary shipping containers on residential sites may be too high;
• shipping containers should not be permitted in residential neighbourhoods;
• taxation of shipping containers; and
• regulating shipping containers to ensure fairness to others who have constructed permanent structures and complied with all regulations.
The proposed bylaw was advertised for three consecutive weeks in YTW, on the City’s website, and at City Hall, with no written submissions.
The proposed Bylaw was presented to the Planning & Infrastructure Commission at their May 2 meeting, said Eger. Discussion was largely in consideration of:
• regulations in other comparable municipalities;
• the use of shipping containers as jobsite trailers;
• capping the duration a shipping container is allowed on a residential site;
• the large number of shipping containers in the City;
• timelines for compliance;
• aesthetics;
• ensuring fairness to those developers who have built permanent structures and been forced to comply with all regulations; and
• the need for City facilities to comply with proposed regulations.
“Building Services has identified approximately 179 shipping containers or semi-trailers in use for storage across 46 locations in the City,” noted Eger. “As of the date of this report, Building Services has had discussions about the proposed regulations with only five businesses. Given the concerns raised by Council and in consideration of the recommendations from the Planning Commission and of presentations tonight, Administration is in favour of postponing the proposed Bylaw to the Jun. 4 Council meeting. This will allow more time to consult affected businesses and also to evaluate feedback for consideration of any amendments to the draft bylaw.”
