Staff proposes zoning pathway for mini‑storage, mixed‑use ordinance update and clarifies Willard High sign rules

Speaker 2 (unidentified speaker) reviewed zoning topics including a proposal to permit personal storage in an M‑1 (manufacturing) zone or allow storage via mixed‑use allowances so applicants have a regulatory pathway, and provided updates on a mixed‑use ordinance currently with the planning commission.

Background: Speaker 2 noted a 2018 board decision removed mini‑storage from the commercial zone and left no code provision for self‑storage. Staff proposed adding M‑1 as a possible location for personal storage or enabling storage through mixed‑use provisions; staff also said there is presently no mapped M‑1 zone, so adoption would create a procedure rather than immediate approvals.

Fiscal and policy concerns: Speaker 2 warned storage units are relatively cheap to build and return little fiscal benefit to the city, which was cited as part of the justification for previously removing storage from commercial zones. Staff emphasized the change would open a regulatory process, not automatic entitlements, and that any rezoning would still require planning‑commission review and board approval.

School signage clarification: Speaker 2 also described an oversight involving Willard High School signage. Because the school submitted signage as part of a building permit in an R‑1 zone, staff concluded the submitted signs were allowable; the R‑1 rules as discussed permit wall, monument and illuminated signs up to 40 square feet and freestanding signs larger than 40 square feet would require a variance.

Next steps: staff said both the mixed‑use ordinance and any code revisions would be thoroughly vetted through the planning commission and that notice and hearing processes would apply before any zoning changes.