Goodland planning commission approves variance to allow shipping-container storage closer to Caldwell Avenue
January 30, 2024 | Goodland, Sherman County, Kansas
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The Goodland Planning Commission on Jan. 9 approved a variance to allow additional shipping-container storage units to be placed closer to Caldwell Avenue, reducing the front-yard setback requirement from 25 feet to 5 feet.
Applicant and property owner explained the plan at the meeting, saying the project would add uniformly colored shipping containers to expand existing storage units, avoid blocking the west entrance and provide spacing between containers and trailers. "I'm asking for 20 feet of the 25," the applicant said when describing the requested change.
City staff (identified in the record as Zach) reviewed the variance criteria and recommended approval. Zach told commissioners he had reached three nearby addresses by phone (326 E. 5th St., 518 Cherry Ave. and 514 Caldwell) and that none of those callers expressed opposition after staff explained the proposal. He said enforcing the full 25-foot setback would create difficulty for operations and vehicle access and that the requested reduction would not adversely affect public health, safety or property values.
During deliberations commissioners repeatedly said the property appears unique compared with surrounding commercial parcels, several neighboring properties already encroach into the easement or sit on the property line, and that a reduced setback would be the minimum variance needed to allow reasonable use. A commissioner moved to approve the variance allowing the front-yard setback to be reduced to 5 feet; another commissioner seconded. The chair called for a voice vote and multiple commissioners answered "Aye." The chair announced the motion passed.
The commission did not record individual named votes in the minutes beyond the roll-call and multiple affirmative responses; the motion carried by voice vote. After the vote the applicant thanked the commission and noted the first containers were arriving soon. The meeting proceeded to routine reports, approval of the minutes listed as 01/09/2024 and adjournment.
What happens next: The commission’s action grants the variance; any further permits or building requirements will follow city permitting procedures and any reconstruction by adjacent property owners would still be required to meet setback standards if they rebuild. The record shows staff will continue to coordinate permitting and follow-up with the applicant.
Applicant and property owner explained the plan at the meeting, saying the project would add uniformly colored shipping containers to expand existing storage units, avoid blocking the west entrance and provide spacing between containers and trailers. "I'm asking for 20 feet of the 25," the applicant said when describing the requested change.
City staff (identified in the record as Zach) reviewed the variance criteria and recommended approval. Zach told commissioners he had reached three nearby addresses by phone (326 E. 5th St., 518 Cherry Ave. and 514 Caldwell) and that none of those callers expressed opposition after staff explained the proposal. He said enforcing the full 25-foot setback would create difficulty for operations and vehicle access and that the requested reduction would not adversely affect public health, safety or property values.
During deliberations commissioners repeatedly said the property appears unique compared with surrounding commercial parcels, several neighboring properties already encroach into the easement or sit on the property line, and that a reduced setback would be the minimum variance needed to allow reasonable use. A commissioner moved to approve the variance allowing the front-yard setback to be reduced to 5 feet; another commissioner seconded. The chair called for a voice vote and multiple commissioners answered "Aye." The chair announced the motion passed.
The commission did not record individual named votes in the minutes beyond the roll-call and multiple affirmative responses; the motion carried by voice vote. After the vote the applicant thanked the commission and noted the first containers were arriving soon. The meeting proceeded to routine reports, approval of the minutes listed as 01/09/2024 and adjournment.
What happens next: The commission’s action grants the variance; any further permits or building requirements will follow city permitting procedures and any reconstruction by adjacent property owners would still be required to meet setback standards if they rebuild. The record shows staff will continue to coordinate permitting and follow-up with the applicant.
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