YORK COUNTY 一 The York Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Sept. 15 to send an amended zoning ordinance allowing shipping containers to be used as accessory sheds in residential areas.
This application was first presented in July, when the board asked for several changes. The revised ordinance includes those changes, including treating shipping containers as taxable property and requiring property owners to get special approval before adding one. It also limits properties in certain residential areas to one container and sets minimum and maximum sizes. The board can approve a larger or smaller container through the special approval process.
Other added requirements state that the container must be located 10 feet from the property line and that it cannot be used as a living space.
During the public hearing, resident Christopher Booth spoke in favor of the change.
“The strict guidelines in this amendment requiring a permanent foundation, a limit of one unit and proper screening give the county the exact tools it needs to ensure these structures are handled responsibly,” he said.
Other residents raised concerns about how the containers would look in residential neighborhoods.
“These are commercial structures and unless they’re totally modified, they’ll look like commercial structures. You talk about having to screen them, well you don’t screen something that is beautiful, you have to hide it because it’s not acceptable,” Pam Pouchot said.
The planning commission unanimously opposed allowing cargo units as accessory sheds, but the vote was made before the current version of the amendment.
“I don’t have a real good argument to say no but I sure don’t have a good argument to say yes. That’s why I’d like to get more input from other people other than just us five,” said Thomas Shepperd, Jr., representative for District 5.
County Attorney Richard Hill Jr. recommended continuing the public hearing and refer the revised proposal back to the planning commission for review. Supervisor Sheppard made the motion to continue it to the November meeting, which the board unanimously approved.
The next board of supervisors meeting is scheduled for Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. at York Hall.
