Prince Albert city council has voted to request a report reviewing the bylaw that restricts the use of sea cans as storage containers, following a discussion focused on break ins, fire risks, and how community organizations and businesses store equipment.
The notice of motion was brought forward by Coun. Blake Edwards, who said he has had several concerns raised about the current bylaw and whether it continues to serve its intended purpose.
“Have had several concerns regarding this by law,” Edwards told council. “I know some nonprofit organizations such as minor baseball have had several break ins into the wooden sheds. And, you know, people actually trying to light fires in their storage areas.”
Edwards said the losses associated with repeated break ins have become difficult for organizations and businesses to absorb.
“And these organizations and businesses just can’t afford the loss anymore, and they never probably could,” he said. “But you know, the problem is we have people that want to break into these on a regular basis.”
He told council that sea cans offer a more secure storage option and questioned whether allowing them in a certain circumstance could benefit organizations without harming the community.
“And sea cans certainly are more effective way of storing things,” Edwards said. “And these days, these can be neatened up. They can look good. I don’t think this is going to be detrimental to our community. I don’t think I would want to see this in general households, but certainly for nonprofit organizations and businesses to possibly utilize these.”
Edwards said the purpose of the motion was to better understand why sea cans are restricted under the current bylaw and what benefits or challenges might come with a change.
“But I’d be interested to see the report on why we don’t allow these and what could benefit if we move forward with changing this by law,” he said.
Micheal Nelson, acting director of community development, responded to questions from council by outlining where sea cans are currently permitted and how they are treated under zoning and building regulations.
“So currently residential zones in the city limits, the only ones that are allowed, are your country residential,” Nelson said. “But just throughout the city limits, residential it’s not allowed. Your downtown, your C1, and your C2 zoning districts aren’t allowed.”
Nelson said the restrictions are largely related to space, proximity to buildings, and property lines.
“It’s just because the proximity buildings are property lines,” he said. “So there’s not much room for, you know, like a yard or property for them to place it in.”
He also explained how sea cans are classified when used for long-term storage in response to a question from Coun. Bryce Laewetz.
“So sea cans, when they’re used for permanent storage, they’re considered a building,” Nelson said. “That was a ruling from building standards a few years ago.”
Nelson said that once a sea can is considered a building, it must meet zoning setbacks and, in some cases, national building code requirements.
“And if they’re just moved for a construction trailer, where they’re put on site temporarily, they can do that for a construction project,” he said. “But as soon as they’re left there and used for permanent storage, they have to meet all requirements of the zoning by law.”
Nelson told council that while national building code requirements cannot be changed by the City, administration can provide the council with information on zoning regulations and outline what options exist.
“We can certainly provide options and lay out what is the requirements of the zoning by law for council’s consideration,” he said.
Council ultimately agreed that a report would help clarify how the bylaw is functioning and what changes, if any, could be considered.
No immediate changes to the bylaw were approved. Administration will return to council with a report outlining the pros and cons of allowing sea cans for storage and the regulatory implications involved.
arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca
