Council approves change allowing smaller self-storage sites on commercial lots after debate about losing green space

The Augusta City Council approved ordinance 22-46, a text amendment to section 10-36 of the city zoning regulations, to permit commercial self-storage facilities on the same reduced lot-size basis the council approved earlier for vehicle and equipment sales.

Staff told council the change reduces the previous one-acre minimum and aligns self-storage with the C-3 zoning district’s 10,000-square-foot minimum while adding specific-use standards intended to mitigate impacts, including increased lot-coverage allowances tied to meeting setback, landscaping and buffering requirements.

Staff said the specific parcel that prompted the amendment is a vacant lot at 204 Walnut (about 19,000 square feet). Councilmembers raised concerns about stormwater and drainage impacts from increased roof and impervious-area coverage and about the loss of remaining green space along Walnut, where some members said beautification efforts are planned. Planning staff acknowledged the corridor is already heavily developed and said additional roofs would change drainage patterns.

A roll call on the ordinance initially produced a vote short of final approval; that triggered procedural discussion about mayoral voting rights. The mayor subsequently cast a tie-breaking affirmative vote on the measure, and the ordinance passed. The recorded roll-call votes on the final action were: Martin — No; Burke — Yes; Scott — Yes; Richardson — Yes; Davis — Yes; Brown — Yes; Marr — No; Mayor — Yes. The motion carried.

Staff noted the planning commission held a public hearing on March 26 and that no valid protests were filed. Planning staff also noted existing self-storage facilities in Augusta range widely in footprint and lot coverage, with one on Seventh Street at about 31,000 square feet and another on Walnut at about 61,000 square feet; the 204 Walnut parcel was presented as roughly 19,000 square feet.

The ordinance includes specific standards intended to address fencing, screening, lighting and signage. Councilmembers who opposed or hesitated asked staff to consider targeted zoning-map changes or conditional-use pathways to protect specific corridors from unwanted development types. Staff said property-specific site plans and conditional-use reviews remain available tools and that existing nonconforming uses remain legal until a property changes hands or reverts to a different use.

Ordinance 22-46 will be codified and staff said it will monitor the effect of changes on corridor character and drainage and bring recommendations back to council if needed.