By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
At the July 22 regular meeting of the Panora City Council, several citizens had signed up to address the council regarding the proposed Ordinance 354 (Chapter 149). The council had proposed prohibiting the large shipping containers that several citizens have brought onto their properties in the city.
Jerry Armstrong explained that he and his wife, Nancy, recently moved into town from a rural Panora address. He added that they’ve had a storage container for eight years and recently moved it to their new home in Panora.
“We’ve spent over $7,000 in cleaning the lot and landscaping. We removed two ugly buildings,” Armstrong said. “We’ve beautified that piece of ground, so now we’ve got an ugly storage container apparently sitting on it.”
Armstrong said that storage facilities in the Panora area are mostly unavailable for rent, because there has been so much demand. Regarding the container on his yard, he said he’s willing to do what is needed in order to keep it.
“We’re willing to landscape it. We’re willing to do the things, if we have to, to make it more appealing,” Armstrong said. “We don’t want an eyesore either.”
Ron Sheeder addressed the council, explaining that he doesn’t have such an item, but feels the council shouldn’t prohibit them.
“I really don’t feel it’s your place to tell people what they can and can’t have on their property, even if it is an eyesore,” Sheeder said. “It’s just not fair to people.”
Roger Snyder spoke regarding his two storage containers.
“I feel like if the council wants to control it, let them permit,” Snyder said. “They’ve got to bring in just like they did for a garden shed. They’ve got to give you a drawing and paint it the same color as the house.”
Snyder advocated for “grandfathering in” those who already have such containers in the city. He also said if the containers are not allowed, the contents may be more of an eyesore if items are not contained.
Chris Arganbright spoke in support of the council’s efforts to control storage containers in the city.
“A lot of work has been done to beautify Panora, and bring business in, and I just feel like something has to be done,” Arganbright said.
The council voted to table the planned second reading of the proposed ordinance.
The council voted to approve the first reading of a proposed ordinance (Ordinance 355, amending Chapter 41) by adding a section related to fishing from and/or jumping off bridges. This is to address concerns at the bridge near Lenon Mill Park. The council voted to waive the second and third readings. Signs will be posted at the bridge from both directions.
Jeremy Muell asked the council to consider granting his business (NAPA) permission to operate golf carts when the business is working on them.
“Sometimes, we have a lot of issue trying to shake out what the problem is. Sometimes, you’ve got to drive them for a half an hour or 45 minutes. We don’t have any hills around the business,” Muell said.
He explained that it’s helpful to drive the carts to some of the hilly areas near the lake to fully test them. He added that this would only be done for these repair/testing situations and only during daylight hours. No council action was taken at this time.
The council’s next regular meeting will be Monday, Aug. 12 at 5:30 p.m. 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#).