By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the Aug. 26 regular meeting of the Panora City Council, the councilmembers heard from the city’s building inspector, Jason Van Ausdall, regarding the issue of large shipping containers being kept in the city.
“I came to the P&Z (Planning & Zoning commission) a while back to talk about the ever-present discussion of shipping containers, which is what they are. They are built as such, they are used as such … and people acquire them, and they show up everywhere. Small-town America, metro areas, commercial areas, industrial areas, you name it,” Van Ausdall said. “Even though they show up, they’re still a shipping container. They are not, by definition, any kind of a building.”
Van Ausdall said he serves as building inspector for 30 other cities besides Panora, and he has seen this issue arise almost everywhere. He explained the difference between the issues cities face when allowing large shipping containers versus temporarily allowing small “moving pods.”
“Moving pods are in and out. They are priced accordingly, so if you had it sitting in your driveway, you’re paying for it dearly. If they’re there for a day, that’s excessive. So those are kind of a non-issue,” Van Ausdall said. “You’re not going to keep a pod in your driveway for three months. You would be broke if you did.”
Van Ausdall strongly encouraged the council to enact an ordinance to prohibit shipping containers from being brought into the city and to give notice that any shipping containers already in the city will have to be removed.
“I would advise a clear boilerplate letter, from and through the city attorney, that has some weight behind it, that has a timeline that is adequate (for removing shipping containers),” Van Ausdall said.
After discussion, although Brian Sheeder said his position hasn’t changed, the consensus of the council was to allow 90 days for removal once such property owners are notified. No formal action was taken, but City Administrator Lisa Grossman said she will revise the proposed ordinance per the council consensus so a first reading can occur at the next council meeting.
The council approved three appointments to the city’s library board. Alli Halsey and Deb Rockwell were reappointed, and Erin Bendickson was newly appointed. All three have terms that will run through June 30, 2028.
As part of the consent agenda, the council approved a Class B Retail Alcohol license for Dollar General.
The council approved having two new street lights installed at the intersection of Highway 4 and Highway 44 (the “Casey’s intersection”). If the new lights are satisfactory, more may be installed elsewhere.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the city council will be Monday, Sept. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The public is welcome. Interested persons may attend in person or electronically by visiting the website https://meet.goto.com/cityofpanora or by phone 1-312-757-3121 (Access Code 295-099-701, Audio PIN 220#).