Title
Commercial Self-Storage Facilities and Ord. 2187 Minor Modification Approval Criteria for Off-Street Parking Reduction
Body
Summary and Background Information: Commercial Self-Storage Facilities:
Over the last few years, staff has received several inquiries regarding development of self-storage facilities in commercial zone districts. The proposed facilities have been all or mostly indoor-access, climate-controlled, multi-story types of facilities with exterior appearances similar to office buildings or multi-family residential buildings. Currently, the Land Development Code (LDC) only allows self-storage facilities (mini-storage) in industrial zone districts. The purpose of this study session is to explore the possibility of expanding self-storage facilities to be allowed in the C-3 zone district subject to additional potential design standards. This change would not impact most PUDs in the Northern Range, though they could opt to amend their zoning to allow this use as well. As this is a study session only, no public comment or voting will be required Monday evening.
Based on the number of inquiries, staff has researched 16 other jurisdictions to compare how Commerce City regulates self-storage facilities, and found 11 allow self-storage in at least one commercial zone district, while 5 prohibit such facilities in commercial zone districts. Of those that allow self-storage facilities in commercial zone districts, some require an enhanced level of design (such as minimum 2-story structure, restrictions on outdoor access to units, or limiting proximity to highly-visible corridors). Several adjacent jurisdictions have allowed the commercial-style facilities to be built, including Denver (Stapleton), Thornton, and Aurora.
Some of the potential benefits for allowing self-storage facilities in commercial areas include:
ยท Supporting residential and commercial growth. Typical users of mini-storage include households in transition due to moving, marriage, div...
Click here for full text