Chaplin commission considers regulating shipping containers, asks for examples from other towns

At the July 9 meeting the Chaplin Planning & Zoning Commission discussed the lack of a specific local regulation for shipping containers and possible approaches to regulation. Commissioners raised options including defining containers as accessory structures under Section 7.1.A (similar to sheds), prohibiting placement in front or side yards, limiting size, and limiting one container per property.

Alternate Commissioner Jim McPherson said some towns ban containers to protect property values and provided information from other municipalities, asking commissioners to bring sample regulations and examples to the next meeting for further consideration. The conversation did not include any formal motion or vote; commissioners asked for additional materials and examples to inform a potential amendment to the zoning regulations.