The Springdale Board of Zoning Appeals heard Michael Bailey's pitch Tuesday, July 28 to keep two shipping containers that have sat without city approval at his off-road vehicle shop since 2022.

Bailey, owner of Highlift Offroad at 271 Northland Blvd., needs two variances from the board: one to make the containers permanent on a property where the zoning code allows portable storage only temporarily (no more than 30 days in a year), and a second to exceed the size cap. The two containers together measure 2,392 cubic feet, nearly double the 1,200-cubic-foot maximum the code allows.

As we reported July 27, Chief Building Official Melissa Hays recommended the board deny both requests. In her staff report presented at the hearing, Hays wrote that the variances are "substantial" and that granting them would give Bailey a privilege no other property owner in the city has, since shipping containers of that size are not permitted anywhere in Springdale.

Staff also argued the containers, located in the front yard visible from Northland Blvd., would alter the neighborhood's character because they are not compatible with the existing building in color or materials. The zoning code requires permanent accessory structures to match the primary building.

The property is a double-frontage lot with access on both Northland Blvd. and Landan Lane, zoned Support Services. Staff acknowledged the dual frontage "severely limits placement" of any accessory structure but said Bailey could add onto the existing building instead.

That double-frontage layout is familiar territory for the board. At an August 26, 2025 hearing on a separate fence variance for the same property, Highlift Offroad representative Natalie Schiavone told the board the dual frontage was "causing a major issue," citing delivery logistics and security concerns. The board approved those fence variances 7-0.

Hays' Thursday, July 2 letter to Bailey also flagged outstanding zoning violations on the property, including the containers themselves and outdoor storage of vehicles.

The board's decision on the container variances has not been announced. Meeting minutes are expected around Friday, July 31. If the matter is continued, the next BZA meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25.