PODS

The use of Portable On-Demand Storage (PODS) units is becoming more prevalent.  PODS are generally used for temporary storage and shipping of personnel items during a move from one location to another.  This summer one of these showed up and the city was faced with an issue that hadn’t been previously addressed.  With no specific rules to guide us the Planning Commission was charged with an effort to develop standards in how these temporary uses will be handled. 

Information was received from other cities as to how they manage these uses.  A draft of the potential rules was reviewed.  A public hearing was called to review the draft which was recommended to the city council for approval.  The proposal included a definition of a storage container (PODS), the use is limited to only one per property, they would be allowed to be used for up to 60 days, establishes setbacks, allows use during construction, and also is part of the impervious surface calculation. 

The city council reviewed the proposed language and after a good deal of discussion felt some additional conditions were warranted.  They added that the PODS cannot be used for living quarters, can be no longer than 20 feet, and a permit is required for there use.  With those amendments the ordinance was adopted. 

We now have standards in which to deal with the use of PODS in the city. 

 

WWTF Buffer Land

Crow Wing County has continued to work through the list of tax forfeited properties they hold in an attempt to sell as many properties as possible off their list.  In Breezy Point we have a great deal of tax forfeited lots and parcels and a number of these are of interest to the city for various reasons. 

Much like the general public, the city is required to pay for tax forfeited properties if acquired.  Some counties will make tax forfeited properties available at no cost for public purposes.  From a county perspective the granting of properties at no cost places a “deed restriction” on the property as the property can only be used for the purpose it was granted.  The county is then obligated to assure that use continues for a period of 25 years.  If the property’s use changes, the property reverts back to the county.  This takes time and effort to accomplish the annual review so a number of years ago the county changed their policy to require all tax forfeited properties to be sold at market rate.  If the city purchases the property and at a later date determines it no longer has a need for it, it can be sold. 

I had previously discussed the purchase of properties in the city hall campus area.  The city also had an interest in two large lots that were adjacent to the wastewater treatment facility, south of the minimum maintenance road of Delaware Trail.  The two lots combined include about 4 acres of land and had a purchase price of $12,700.  It was felt these properties would give the city access to the Wastewater Treatment Facility from the north but also created a buffer between residential properties and the plant.  The City Council agreed to purchase these properties and will do so using funds from the Sewer Capital Fund.