Commission receives councilwoman’s concern about self-storage development; no moratorium enacted

The City of Lorain Planning Commission on Sept. 3 received correspondence from Councilwoman Pam Carter expressing concern about additional self-storage development in her Third Ward. The commission did not enact a moratorium; members were advised that any new storage-use proposals would require conditional-use applications and likely further review by the zoning board and the planning commission. The mayor and staff told commissioners that developers who previously placed storage units on the property had argued they might be grandfathered in for additional storage, and staff said they are attempting to identify acceptable alternative uses and retail leads to preserve or improve the existing plaza. Planning staff advised that new storage would require a conditional-use application and possibly a final development plan depending on the scale of the structures. Commissioners agreed to receive and file the correspondence and to continue work with property owners to identify alternative development that does not include additional storage units. Councilwoman Carter may raise the issue with city council for further legislative action if desired.