City schedules public meetings on storage-container issue

The city is holding four public meetings, all open to the public but each targeted at specific stakeholder groups, on the issue. Springfield City Council last month tabled an ordinance that would require permits for all on-site storage trailers and would limit the number allowed. An administrative delay on the current ordinance was extended for 180 days.

All meetings will be held at 6 p.m. in the 4th floor conference room of the Busch Municipal Building, 840 Boonville Ave.

Tonight’s meeting targets storage container businesses that own the units. The Sept. 18 meeting targets small retail business owners and users, the Sept. 25 meeting targets large retail businesses and users, and the Oct. 1 meeting targets manufacturing and industrial users.

Each meeting will focus on general provisions on storage containers such as utility connections, setback requirements and limits; placement of containers, regarding zoning districts; exceptions for issues such as inventory for a new business, construction and recycling; registration of sites; and administration and enforcement.

City staff is working with stakeholders to draft language for an ordinance. The proposed draft will be forwarded to the City Council Community Involvement Committee; if the committee forwards it for consideration, it would go to the Planning and Zoning Commission and then to council.