Shipping containers approved for storage
Staff writer
County commissioners made minor changes Monday to zoning regulations.
Commissioners voted 4-1 to allow shipping containers to be used as accessory storage buildings.
Under amended regulations, shipping containers may be used in districts zoned agricultural, rural residential, single family residential, and village.
Any number can be approved in an agricultural district, only one can be approved in a rural residential or suburban residential district, and a special exception is needed in single-family residential and village districts.
Commission chairman Randy Dallke was opposed.
In other business, planning and zoning director Sharon Omstead told commissioners the department had forgiven $695.75 in construction debris charges for work on a residential property.
Omstead also said she had heard from Expedition Wind Farm developer Orsted that the company hopes to start construction in spring.
Commissioners reviewed proposed land bank bylaws and tax sale policies written by county counsel Brad Jantz.
Jantz said that having two tax sales a year is “kind of a minimum.” He recommended having them more often.
Becker said that years ago, the county treasurer used to send lists of people behind on taxes to the banks, who would post them on bulletin boards so everyone could look at them.
“We still do that by the newspaper,” Jantz said.
Commissioners also reviewed a form Jantz proposed to be filled out by people who want to speak during a meeting.
Jantz suggested time limits be set and speakers be sent out of the meeting if they are disruptive.
Becker expressed concerns about a speaker’s address being included on forms to be filled out by all seeking to speak. Crofoot said it made a difference to him whether the speaker was a Marion County resident.