Council puts container issue on hold

Council was considering an ordinance that would require permits for all on-site storage trailers and limit the number for industrial and retail businesses to one container per 10,000 square feet of floor space.

City staff said the bill was an attempt to regulate the placement and number of containers.

“In many cases, the placement of those (containers) has not been in conformance with existing ordinance,” City Planning & Development Director Ralph Rognstad told council. Rognstad mentioned that some containers – which he estimated number more than 2,000 citywide – have been placed in locations that block required parking spaces or traffic circulation lanes, while others are not properly screened or hidden.

City Fire Chief Barry Rowell told council that the containers, if not properly regulated, could also present significant safety hazards, especially if they block fire lanes or access to utilities.

A large contingent of local businesspeople, however, spoke against the bill, saying it would negatively impact both manufacturing and retail business.

Rob Rector, manager of Battlefield Mall, said the ordinance’s proposed temporary permits, which would last no more than 60 days, would hurt retailers’ business.

“Inventories begin to expand to handle the peak holiday and pre-holiday seasons during the month of August,” Rector said. “Many stores simply don’t have the space to handle that inventory. In short, if customers can’t find what they want at one store, they will go somewhere else where they can get it.”

Council tabled the issue to allow further discussion. A special meeting to continue talks will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 20 in council chambers, 830 Boonville Ave.

See SBJ’s Aug. 20 issue for more on the Aug. 13 council meeting.