The Paris Planning and Zoning Commission met on Monday night with 4 members present. (Chairman Keith Flowers, Vice-Chair Chad Lindsey, Commissioner Rick Hundley, and Commissioner Clifton Fendley).
The Commission unanimously denied a petition from Mike Davidson and Kenneth Dority for a change in Zoning from 2F to MF1 located in the 600 block of SE 12th Street. Commissioners noted that the Multi-Family Zoning was inappropriate for this area.
The Commission unanimously approved a petition from Skyler Burchinal for a change in Zoning from 2F to MF1 located in the 1900 Block of E Booth Street. While there were drainage concerns in the Public Hearing, City Staff assured the Commission that the property owner would be required to detain water on the property thus creating no additional drainage issues.
The Commission unanimously approved the Preliminary and Final Plats of Lot 1 Block A of the Stephens 195 Addition located in the 3900 Block of FM 195 and the Preliminary and Final Plats of Lot 1 Block A of the Hanning EST Addition located on Haning Dr. AKA County Road 42640.
Finally, the Commission discussed updating the Zoning Ordinance specifically modifying regulations for Storage Containers. The use of Storage Containers (also called Shipping Containers or PODs) as Accessory Structures in Residential Areas, or as Seasonal or Permanent Portable Storage in Commercial Zones, is technically not allowed within the City as they have not been defined within the City Ordinance. The Commission voted 3-1, with Chairman Flowers opposing, to update the Ordinance to include these uses as follows:
Definition and Use Regulation:
The term “portable storage container” shall be defined to be any container, storage unit, shed-like container or other portable structure that can or is used for the storage of personal property of any kind and which is located for such purposes outside an enclosed building other than an accessory building or shed complying with all building codes and land use requirements.
Area Regulations for Accessory Buildings in Residential Districts:
Portable Storage Structure: No more than one portable storage structure may be located on a specific piece of property within the City at one time. Such temporary structure shall be located no closer than ten feet to the property line, must be placed so as not to unduly restrict drainage, and must be placed on an improved surface in the rear yard to restrict its visibility from public view. Such structure may not exceed eight feet six inches in height, ten feet in width or twenty feet in length.
Seasonal Portable Storage: A portable storage structure may be located as a temporary structure on non-residential property within the city for a period not exceeding one hundred twenty days in any one calendar year, provided it is provided for on an approved site plan. The duration shall be measured from the time of delivery to the time of removal. Each day that a portable storage structure remains after the removal date shall constitute a violation.
Temporary Structure Safety: It shall be the obligation of the owner or user of any temporary portable storage structure to secure it in a manner so as not to endanger the safety of persons or property in the vicinity of the structure. In the event of high winds or other weather conditions in which such structure may become a physical danger to persons or property, the appropriate law enforcement officers may require the immediate removal of such temporary structure.
Permanent Portable Storage: A portable storage structure may be located as a permanent structure on non-residential property within the City provided the structure is located wholly behind the front facade of the main building.
The Updated Ordinance will go on to the City Council for final approval.
