MECOSTA COUNTY — The Mecosta County Board of Commissioners approved recommended amendments to the zoning ordinance regarding cargo containers.
“This applies to containers being used for storage,” Commissioner Bill Routley said during the board's recent meeting. “This amendment will set size specifications and acreage limitations.”
Under Section 3.23 Temporary and portable buildings, uses and structures, the amendment adds cargo/shipping/storage containers defined as “any metal or primarily metal container designed or constructed to ship, store, or handle bulk goods or items… including reusable steel boxes, freight containers, and bulk shipping containers.”
The amendment states that cargo containers may be used for storage in the R-1, AF, AG, C-1, C-2, C-3 and Industrial districts with the following restrictions:
• On less than 5 acres, a maximum of one cargo container may be placed with a maximum length of 20 feet.
• On 5 acres to 10 acres, a maximum of two cargo containers may be placed with a maximum length of 40 feet in length per container
• On 10 plus acres, a maximum of four cargo containers may be placed with a maximum length of 40 feet per container.
• All cargo containers shall be free from damage, severe rust, and shall not have exposed bare metal.
• Shall not display advertising, company logos, names or other markings painted on or otherwise attached to the exterior of the cargo container.
• Shall be of a uniform color
• A cargo container may be allowed in Commercial or Industrial zoning districts with a lawfully established principal use. Shall be located behind a slatted chain link fence, wooden fence, or other acceptable fence having a minimum height of eight feet, or existing solid vegetation having a minimum height of eight feet.
• Cargo Containers shall not be used for any advertising purpose and shall be kept clean of all alpha-numeric signage and writing.
• A solid foundation (road base material or better) is required for permanent accessory storage uses.
• Cargo containers shall meet the setback requirements of the underlying zone.
• Zoning Clearance must be received for the placement of a cargo unit.
The previous zoning ordinance simply read that “licensed, road worthy trucks and semi-tractor trailers used for business purposes may be allowed in all commercial, AG, AF and (excluding platted subdivisions) R-1 zoning districts.
The amended ordinance more clearly defines the allowable uses and restrictions.
Truck boxes and semi-tractor trailer boxes remain prohibited in any zoning district.
All zoning ordinances can be found on the county website at mecostacounty.org.
During the meeting the board approved the following:
• A contract amendment with the Area Agency on Aging increasing the funding for home meal delivery from $76,053 to $16,053 for this fiscal year. The additional funding will increase the number of meals provided by 8,830 meals.
• A motion to accept the County Veteran Service Fund grant for FY2022.
• A motion to accept the Victim’s Rights grant in the amount of $74,000.
• A motion to approve filling a position in the prosecutor’s office.
• A motion to approve filling a probate court vacancy.
• A motion to fill a vacancy in the corrections department.
Cathy Crew has a bachelor's degree in English with teacher certification. She taught ELA for 15 years. She grew up around this area, and recently returned to Big Rapids after having lived in Texas for many years. Her favorite pastimes are traveling and spending time with her two adult children.