Approve Request from Northern Starz Children's Theater to Utilize a Portable Storage Unit at 7925 Sunwood Drive

Northern Starz Children's Theater has contacted the City seeking permission to utilize a portable storage unit at the Northgate Performing Arts Center, located at 7295 Sunwood Drive NW (the "Subject Property") in conjunction with one of their upcoming productions.  The Subject Property is located within the COR-3 Sub-district, which prohibits outside storage.

Notification is not required.

Northern Starz Children's Theater is preparing for an upcoming production that will include a lot of props and stage sets.  They have approached the City seeking permission to utilize a portable storage container on the Subject Property from May 22 through June 15 for temporary storage of their sets and materials.  The owner of the Subject Property, Northgate Church, has acknowledged and approved this request, pending City approval.

The storage unit, which would be sixteen feet long by eight feet wide (16' x 8'), would be placed in one of the parking stalls on the Subject Property.  Their desired location is in the southeastern most parking stall as shown on the attached exhibit.  This location keeps the unit close enough to the doors of the building while also providing some screening via the existing knee wall(s).   The request is to allow the use of the portable storage unit for twenty-five (25) days.

In response to this request, Staff has discussed with Northern Starz Children's Theater that any future needs for storage of sets/props should be accommodated within the building or within an enclosure similar to what was provided to screen the dumpster on the Subject Property.

Alternatives

Option #1: Approve the use of a 16' x 8' portable storage unit on the Subject Property from May 22 through June 15.  The request is temporary in nature to accommodate a production that has greater quantities of sets and props than normal.  This is a unique situation and the one time use of a portable storage container seems reasonable.  Additionally, Staff has informed Northern Starz Children's Theater that any future temporary storage needs will need to be addressed within the building or with the installation of screening similar to what was used to screen the dumpster on site.  Staff supports this option.

Option #2: Do not approve the request to utilize a portable storage unit.  This is a temporary situation to accommodate additional sets/props that will be used in a production over the first two weekends in June of this year.  If the request is not approved, production sets/materials will need to be stored internally, where there is not sufficient space without impacting the church's day to day operations.  Staff does not support this option.

This request is being handled as part of Staff's regular duties.

Staff recommends approving the request to allow the temporary use of a portable storage unit at 7295 Sunwood Drive NW from May 22 through June 15, 2015.

Motion to approve the request to utilize a portable storage container on the property located at 7295 Sunwood Drive NW temporarily from May 22 through June 15, 2015.