The Salem City Council Monday night approved the use of steel cargo containers for storage in the industrial zone and some business zones provided they meet other zoning restrictions. The council also came up with a plan to begin to address the problem of the containers that were placed without city approval.
City Attorney Mike Jones does not feel those in non-compliance need to seek a building permit now.
“If the council adopts this ordinance this evening, it may legitimize some of the units are out there, provided they meet setbacks and don’t exceed 30% lot size. So the ones there now if they are in compliance, will be legal. Then it will be incumbent on the Code Officer to review and some may not be legitimate…hopefully, most will be.”
The council agreed to follow Jones’ guidance and develop a list over the next 90 days of where the steel cargo containers are currently located and which are in non-compliance with the new ordinance. After getting the list, the city council will determine to handle those in non-compliance.
City Councilman Jim Koehler doesn’t feel like the council should take any action against existing containers. He admits while the property owners didn’t follow the rules, the city did nothing about it in some cases for years.
Councilwoman Amy Troutt questioned passing the ordinance if they weren’t going to enforce it.
Under the ordinance approved Monday night, containers will be permitted in the industrial, B-3 Highway Business, B-4 Interchange Business, and B-6 General Commercial. The units could be located in the B-2 Central Business and B-5 Central/Intermediate Business Districts with a special use permit. The ordinance would not allow the containers in the B-1 neighborhood business or any residential zone.
After the meeting, City Clerk and Zoning Administrator Bev Quinn said she would appreciate anyone with an existing steel cargo container to call city hall so a determination can be made if it will now meet zoning requirements.
