Carroll County directs staff to tighten rules for multistory self‑storage after consultant warns of gaps

A county consultant told the Board of Carroll County Commissioners on June 11 that current zoning language permits large multistory, climate‑controlled self‑storage facilities — a change from the one‑story drive‑up units common a decade ago — and that the ordinance lacks the design and operational controls needed to protect residential neighbors.

Troy Truax of Michael Baker International told the board the industry has shifted toward multistory, indoor climate‑controlled warehouses and outdoor vehicle storage, and showed examples of other jurisdictions that attach clear architectural, buffering and separation, and operational rules to that use. “The code currently is focused on operational characteristics but has gaps in façade, bulk and area, and separation standards that we recommend addressing,” Truax said during the presentation.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said the county must prevent unexpected impacts where commercial corridors abut neighborhoods. Commissioners raised specific concerns about setbacks, lot coverage, outdoor vehicle storage (RVs and boats), hazardous material storage such as batteries, and the potential for storage buildings to be used as de‑facto warehouses or contractor bays.

After the presentation and an extended discussion that highlighted examples such as adaptive reuse of big‑box stores and U‑Haul projects in neighboring counties, Commissioner Krebs said the county needs “predictability” for both residents and developers. Planning staff recommended a layered approach: refine where self‑storage is permitted, distinguish drive‑up units from multistory internal access facilities, and add clear objective design and operational standards tied to the use.

The board voted unanimously to direct staff to work with the Planning & Zoning Commission on potential amendments to County Code chapters 155 and 158 related to self‑service storage facilities. The referral calls for revising permitted uses, adopting objective façade and bulk standards, strengthening buffering and setbacks near residential districts, and adding explicit prohibitions or limits on accessory outdoor storage and contractor‑style bays.

Commissioner Collier emphasized design integration and review: “If a use is permitted, we ought to have standards that fit it into the character of the corridor,” he said. Staff said the next steps are drafting proposed text amendments and bringing them back to the Planning & Zoning Commission for review before the board decides whether to send changes to public hearing.

What’s next: Staff will work with the Planning & Zoning Commission on ordinance language, with public meetings anticipated as part of the code‑amendment process. The board also left in place a temporary deferral on certain related approvals while staff and the commission prepare recommendations.