Mineola council approves storage container with conditions for Cafe U in historic home

By Phil Major
publisher@wood.cm
Posted 11/25/21

A storage container that has set next to an alley between two historic homes near downtown Mineola for about a year will now have to meet three conditions in order to remain.

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Mineola council approves storage container with conditions for Cafe U in historic home

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A storage container that has set next to an alley between two historic homes near downtown Mineola for about a year will now have to meet three conditions in order to remain.

Brett Unger, owner of Cafe U housed in the historic Munzesheimer Manor at 202 N. Newsom, said the storage is necessary to help grow the business, since the home built in 1889 has little storage space.

But neighbor Ken Kirk, whose home is also historic, said the shipping container is just 15 feet from his home and looks bad.

The case has already gone before the Planning and Zoning Commission, which approved a specific use permit to allow the container under three conditions.
The container, which is red, must be painted an appropriate color for the area. Unger said he planned a reflective white to help control the temperature.

It must also be surrounded by a barrier, such as a fence. And it must receive a variance from the Board of Adjustment, since it does not meet the minimum five-foot setback requirement.

The container is effectively on the edge of the alley. A question was raised whether a fire truck could access the alley.

Fire Marshal David Madsen said he will call a Board of Adjustment meeting as soon as possible, possibly in December but more likely in January.

Should the board approve the variance, Unger would then have 60 days to comply with the conditions or face a misdemeanor fine of up to $2,000 per occurrence.

Board of Adjustment decisions are final and do not require city council approval.

If the conditions are not met the container would have to be moved.

Unger said there is not another good location on the property to locate it. There are six parking spaces behind the structure, and the container would knock out five of them.

Monday’s meeting was delayed by about half an hour while the council issued a proclamation for the Mineola High School band, recognizing the Sound of the Swarm for its third consecutive state marching championship.

Mayor Jayne Lankford told the packed house, “We know how hard you work.”

She added that it is a pleasure to be able to hear the band practicing from all over town.

In the proclamation, Lankford noted the band represents the community with continuing excellence.

She declared Monday, Nov. 22, 2021 as recognition day for the band.

She then adjourned the meeting so the band could enjoy a cake made in their honor.