ANDERSON — The Madison County Plan Commission has recommended changes to the county’s zoning ordinance pertaining to shipping containers.
The Plan Commission Tuesday voted to put new requirements for the placement of the shipping containers in the county.
Larry Strange, executive director of the Planning Department, said the recommendation included allowing property owners with shipping containers 120 days to come into compliance.
The Madison County Commissioners will have to approve the change in the zoning ordinance.
Strange said the discussions surrounding the placement of containers was a result of outstanding violations.
The recommendation states the shipping containers have to be placed on a permanent surface of concrete or gravel. Strange said people can plant bushes that are two or three feet high to comply, depending on zoning requirements “All but two of the current properties outside of compliance can be brought into compliance,” he said.
Strange said an improvement location permit will be required so the Planning Department can inspect the site.
Tom Whitesell, building inspector said the containers should be placed on piers to keep them off the ground.
“There are several different types of shipping containers,” Plan Commission member Lindsay Brown said. “The ones being brought into the county are used. They will settle over time unless placed on a hard surface.”
Commission member Michael Pelsor asked about possible requirements for sheds.
Whitesell said weight is a determining factor and the shipping containers weight 10,000 pounds when empty.
Pelsor asked about requiring sheds to be placed on a hard surface.
Whitesell said the Plan Commission could revise that requirement in the future.
Pelsor voted against the recommendation forwarded to the Commissioners.
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