Planning commission backs change to require conditional permits for self-storage in Norfolk

The Norfolk Planning Commission on a 6-0 vote recommended a zoning text amendment that would require self-storage (mini-storage) facilities to obtain a conditional use permit rather than be permitted by right in most general commercial and light industrial zoning districts.

Planning Director Johan told the City Council at the Oct. 7 work session that the change would allow a case-by-case review of sites and impacts. "Self storage utilizes significant amount of land, with little job creation or economic activity, but it does allow for a side by side analysis, through the conditional use permit process," Johan said.

Staff showed a map of the zoning districts where self-storage is currently permitted by right and noted a cluster of existing facilities identified from available data. Johan said there is at least one self-storage project already in the pipeline that is close to approval, and council members asked whether other applications might be submitted before the council acts on the ordinance.

The text amendment would shift review of future self-storage proposals to the conditional use process, which gives staff and the council the ability to impose site-specific conditions and require public notice and hearings. Planning staff recommended the change to the council following the Planning Commission recommendation.

Next steps: staff said the amendment will appear on a future council docket for formal council consideration and possible vote.