The Salem City Council unanimously agreed to allow cargo storage containers in the Industrial Zone as well as most business zones provided they meet other zoning requirements.
Under the proposal that will come back before the council at its January 3rd meeting as an ordinance change, the containers will be allowed with building permits in the Industrial, B3, B4, and B6 Zoning Districts. They will also be permissible in the B2 Downtown and B5 Central Intermediate Zoning District with special use permits. The buildings will not be allowed in the B1 neighborhood business district or any residential zone.
Still to be decided, how to handle the shipping containers put into place without building permits or city approval. Mayor Nic Farley made a recommendation.
“We would give a grace period of 60 days for those folks to come into compliance. They would come in and get a building permit and they become compliant as long as they meet setbacks and requirements that have been set. That way we would bring everyone up to compliance,” said Farley.
One property owner who has the shipping containers rented out for storage of others asked the city council to address that issue as well. Carol Densford says her buildings were designed to be aesthetically pleasing.
The council made no decision on charging a fee for each of the video gaming machines in the city. Farley feels charging the $250 fee now allowed by the state could help deter additional businesses with the machines. He wants to waive the fee for non-profit groups, such as the Elks and American Legion, because of the good they do in the community. Any fees imposed would go into effect when liquor licenses are renewed on July first.
Economic Development Director Tabitha Meador was given permission to begin planning the 4th of July Celebration with the same $10,000 budget for entertainment and $15,000 for fireworks that were expended last year.
The council approved creating a designated spot for prisoner transport vehicles taking prisoners to the courthouse. It will be located on the south side of East Schwartz next to the Washington Street intersection.
The council also agreed to move up purchases of water meters and fire hydrants ahead of year-end price increases.
