Hertford council approves zoning change to allow storage units in C‑2 with special permit

The Town of Hertford Council voted unanimously on Nov. 14 to amend the town zoning ordinance to allow storage units as a use in C‑2 zoning when authorized through a Special Use Permit. Mayor Earnell Brown opened a legislative hearing on Application No. 0991922-4, and the Planning Board had earlier recommended the change by a 4‑0 vote.

The amendment adds storage units as an enumerated use in C‑2 subject to the Special Use Permit process under Article IX of the Town of Hertford Zoning Ordinance, Council heard. Interim Town Manager Janice McKenzie Cole presented the item and asked the council to vote on the measure. Mayor Pro Tem Ashley Hodges moved to approve the text amendment and Councilman Jerry Mimlitsch seconded; the motion passed 5‑0.

The change follows the Planning Board’s recommendation and a published expanded notice because the amendment affects multiple abutting property owners in the town’s C‑2 zones. No members of the public signed up to speak or submitted written comments at the hearing.

The ordinance change will require prospective storage‑unit operators in C‑2 areas to seek a Special Use Permit, which will allow the town to consider conditions, site layout, buffering, hours, and other mitigation measures case by case. Council did not specify any immediate project approvals during the meeting.

Council members framed the vote as a means to align the town’s zoning code with existing land‑use patterns and to preserve the Special Use Permit process as a tool for local review. The council did not provide an implementation date in the meeting record; affected applicants should consult Planning and Zoning for filing procedures and required materials.

The council is expected to include implementation details in forthcoming Planning and Zoning guidance and permit application materials.