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Commission debates whether to confine storage units to industrial zones
Summary
Commissioners discussed a mayoral request to limit new storage-unit development to industrial zones to preserve commercial land, but did not take formal action and asked staff for data on existing inventory and possible conditional-use approaches.
Hurricane City planning commissioners discussed whether the city should limit the development of storage-unit facilities to industrial zones rather than allowing them in commercial zones. The discussion was exploratory: commissioners and staff did not adopt a code change but asked staff to return with information and possible regulatory options.
Gary explained the mayor’s interest in preserving “quality commercial” by encouraging storage units to locate in industrial or light-industrial zones rather than prime commercial corridors. Commissioners noted competing goals: conserving commercial frontage for retail and services versus providing dispersed storage capacity that is convenient for residents.
Commissioner Paul and several others said storage units are an industrial-type use and argued they should be located in industrial areas; Commissioner Shelley and others said dispersed smaller storage facilities in or near residential pockets provide convenience for residents who need “extra space.” Several speakers also raised the local-development dynamic that developers sometimes propose storage units as an allowed alternative if another intended project (for example, townhomes) cannot obtain approval.
Options discussed included: (1) making storage units a conditional use in commercial zones (so review could consider context and require mitigation), (2) confining storage units to industrial zones where appropriate, and (3) collecting data on existing storage-unit inventory and market demand to see whether more capacity is needed and where. Commissioners requested that staff quantify existing capacity and bring options for zoning and conditional-use requirements back to the commission.
No formal motion was made; the item was discussion-only and staff will prepare data and potential code language for future consideration.
