Shipping containers are already permitted for use in some areas of town. (ID 43411799 © Piccaya | Dreamstime.com)

By Derek Cornet

council meeting

Council to discuss expanding use of shipping containers as storage

Feb 24, 2025 | 2:25 PM

The Town of La Ronge will be revisiting the topic of shipping containers at a regular council meeting on Monday.

Council will be discussing whether or not to expand the usage of such containers into the Recreational and Parks, General Commercial and Shoreline Commercial Districts. At the moment, they are allowed to be used for storage in the Community Service, Future Development, Highway Commercial, Light Industrial, General Industrial, and Airport Districts.

Shipping containers in the Community Service and Highway Commercial Districts must comply with special regulations related to siting and appearance.

“It is acknowledged that businesses that occupy the two downtown commercial zoning districts could benefit from the use of shipping containers, which are a less expensive and are a more secure form of storage building, but their use could easily be construed as having a negative impact on the aesthetic quality of the built environment of the downtown and areas where the town wants to see revitalization,” notes prepared by administration for the discussion state.

“In moving forward, particularly given there are two existing cases of non-conformity that must be dealt with, administration is asking council to consider the use of shipping containers in the General Commercial District and Shoreline Commercial District of the Zoning Bylaw.

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The document adds administration has undertaken discussions with the property owners who are not in conformity and there is a willingness – should a shipping container be permitted – to screen the shipping container entirely from view or dress up the shipping container to make it appear like a typical building.

Shipping containers are uses in themselves and are treated just like buildings. This means that anyone proposing to put a shipping container on a property in a zoning district must obtain a development permit and a building permit just like they would for a building. Each zoning district in which a shipping containers are permitted has specific regulations that must be followed.

In addition to that topic, council will also be looking at a request from the La Ronge Arts Council for $5,000. The funds would be used to help enhance the La Ronge Arts Gallery space in order to look more professional by purchasing two six-foot benches, six display cases, shelving for the display cases, a La Ronge Arts Council sign, and supplies to have free paint nights at the library.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com