Citizens sound off on proposed ordinance at public hearing

Ritzville citizens said their peace at a public hearing on Nov. 6 regarding the proposed ordinance that would ban cargo containers and pods in residential zoning districts.

The public hearing took place at the beginning of the regularly scheduled city council meeting, with four different guests in attendance sharing their views on Ordinance 2116.

Bruce Benzel, who was the Ritzville Fire Department chief for 10 years, was concerned over what people might be storing in the metal cargo containers that might pose a threat to firefighters responding to a call, as well as wondering if the fire department had been consulted on the proposed ordinance.

“If something happens, how is the fire department going to get in [the containers?]” asked Benzel. “You don’t know what people are going to put in them. Most people, you would think, are just going to hold household stuff in them, but in this day and age there could be chemicals and all kinds of stuff in them. Now you’re putting your fire department

Benzel also noted that the metal containers cannot be easily accessed without a key, and that you would have to cut into it to gain such access during an emergency. Benzel proposed that if the cargo containers do end up being allowed, that they should be inspected by the fire department on a bi-yearly basis.

John Kragt, the city’s attorney, said that Benzel made a good point about the safety concerns, but that everyone has the right to privacy, and that other cities ran into the same problem in trying to regulate what people keep in their cargo containers.

“How do we know what’s in there, but how do we know what’s in anybody’s house or anybody’s basement?” asked Kragt. “We just can’t know that. It’d be nice if we did.”

Daniel Galbreath spoke in opposition to the proposed ban, saying that he’s gotten compliments on how he’s implemented his containers on his property. Galbreath installed the containers about a year ago, saying that he went to a lot of effort to put them in.

“I made it as structurally sound as I possibly could so I could make it something that would last and be good,” said Galbreath. “I went to a lot of expense, and put a lot of time and energy to make it look really nice. I know we all have varying thoughts on what looks good and what doesn’t look good, but I’ve had a lot of positive comments given to me, saying they thought I did a nice job, that it was attractive and that it cleaned up what I had for an area there before, which was a rundown little shed that I couldn’t even stand up in.”

Galbreath said that the point made about public safety is a good one. He also pointed out that his property’s assessed value has increased “substantially” since he installed the containers. He also noted that going out and buying nice sheds may not be financially feasible for those who currently have containers on their property.

Barry Boyer said that he also wasn’t happy with this ordinance, saying that he’s waiting for the council to do something serious about cleaning things up in the city.

“If you really want to make this a nicer looking town, we’ve got lots of opportunities,” said Boyer. “I just find this quick, too. We suddenly discover that we have a container problem, and almost before you can say ‘Jackie Robinson’ we have an [ordinance.]”

Councilwoman Dede Rawlings also spoke in opposition to the ordinance, saying she doesn’t understand why there can’t be good rules in place instead of outright abolishing cargo containers in residential zoning districts.

“To me, we’re overstepping our boundaries and telling people that they can’t do something if they want to use it for another purpose,” said Rawlings. “Not everybody can afford to build a Tuff Shed or to build a new barn. The cargo containers are an inexpensive way to store stuff safely.”

No votes on the ordinance were taken at the meeting, as the council will continue to deliberate before holding a vote at a future city council meeting.