Seacans for residential yard storage a possibility in St. Paul

Using seacans as storage at your house in St. Paul is now possible for discretionary purposes.

St. Paul town council decided that if residents want to use seacans for storage purposes, then those applications will go to the Development Authority.

After a request for a permit has been received, the Development Authority will then send notices out to the neighbouring property owners and depending on the feedback, may be passed.

Mayor Maureen Miller said that they hoped for more feedback on the proposed bylaw changes in the first place, which could’ve made it permitted use and not have to come to the town each time. But because of the few voices presented, they wanted to operate on a case-by-case basis.

“We had, I think, three letters for and against – I would say that’s not public engagement. You’re very nervous when you actually pass a bylaw, even though you put all opportunity out there for public engagement when it isn’t there,” Miller told Lakeland Connect. 

“So at this point, it’s going to be a discretionary, which will give us then that engagement that we’re going to need case by case.” 

Council read second and third readings of the bylaw at the Oct. 24th meeting after a public hearing, which saw a few letters of support but no one in attendance.

The discussion around using seacans as a storage option came up as a way to secure belongings more safely than in typical yard sheds and limit theft.

The first reading passed on Sept. 26.

More information on the proposed bylaw can be read here.