Commission recommends ULDC changes to allow self‑service storage in certain commercial‑office zones

Alex Bayray of the zoning division presented proposed amendments to the Palm Beach County Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) to clarify that self-service storage facilities are allowed in zoning districts tied to commercial low-office or commercial high-office future land uses with class A conditional use review. Bayray said the change corrects omissions from the 2003 code rewrite and aligns the code with the Comprehensive Plan; staff recommended the commission find the revisions consistent and recommend approval to the BCC. "These proposed changes to the Palm Beach County Unified Land Development Code correct that self-service storage facility uses be allowed in zoning districts with a commercial low office or commercial high office future land use designation," Bayray said.

Public commenters raised concerns about rural character and roadway suitability. Lisa Johnson, speaking for the Acreage Landowners Association, said the association opposed allowing storage in commercial low areas near rural neighborhoods and asked that the county restrict storage to commercial-high and industrial zones with adequate arterial road access. Staff and another land development representative clarified that existing zoning and roadway requirements would control where such facilities could be sited and that commercial-low-office is a distinct future land use category under consideration. The commission recommended the revision and will forward its recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners.