The Haven Township Bloard determined repurposed cargo containers did not qualify as an allowed structure under “accessory use or structure” in their zoning ordinance during their meeting Monday night.

 

Deanna Paulzine approached the board to request permission to place a cargo container on her Valley View property to repurpose for use as a garden shed.

 

After researching options she had discovered bringing in and repurposing a cargo container was more affordable than building a new shed. She explained it would be landscaped and a door and windows would be cut into the structure so it would be attractive aesthetically. 

 

Supervisor Jeff Schlingmann, township zoning administrator, instructed the board they would need to make the determination on whether or not cargo containers qualify under their definition of “accessory use or structure.”

 

“Your determination will set precedence going forward for any further requests for this type of structure,” he said. “Right now there’s no construction code that deals with containers.”

 

Currently Sherburne County discourages the use of cargo containers and many municipalities aren’t allowing them.

 

The board discussed a number of concerns with the issue, including that aesthetic issues would be beyond their control. 

 

“Because it’s not currently practiced and not considered common use I feel we shouldn’t go there at this point,” said Supervisor Mark Knowles. 

 

“Some day we’ll pass our decisions on to boards in the future,” said Supervisor Kathi Kosloski. “I really think we need to wait and see where the use of these containers goes.”

 

A motion was passed stating the board would not allow shipping containers as a structure under “accessory use or structure” in the township’s zoning ordinance. 

 

Knowles informed the board he had spoken with the project manager of the 32nd and 52nd street railroad crossings and was told the project would likely be undertaken at the end of 2017. 

 

The east side of the tracks on 32nd may need to be realigned and both sides of 52nd will need to be improved for the project.

 

Schlingmann asked Township Attorney David Meyers to schedule a meeting with property owners on 52nd to discuss the need for right of way; the township already has right of way on 32nd. 

 

Knowles explained to the board he had spoken with property owners Marty Malinen and Lois Campbell, and proposed erecting a barricade at the entrance to the township’s landing on 45th but forgoing the side barriers discussed previously.

 

The proposal includes the understanding if anything is parked in the township’s right of way the side barriers would also be erected. Malinen and Campbell were agreeable to the solution.

 

Knowles presented the board with a proposal from Erickson Electric to add two light poles with LED fixtures on the north side of the township’s parking lot. A motion was made to approve the project in the amount of $7,400. 

 

Kosloski informed the board Allegiant will be running out of the St. Cloud Municipal Airport Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays beginning in January.

 

The canvas board will meet Nov. 8 at 9 p.m. after the election.

 

The sheriff reported September was a busy month with 100 calls for service, which included 25 traffic, two theft, five accidents, two warrant arrests and a burning complaint. 

 

The next Haven Township meeting will be Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.