The Hartsville, S.C., City Council last week approved an amendment to its zoning ordinance that will allow self-storage in standalone buildings in its B2/B3 zone. The measure was approved 5-1 and could pave the way for real estate developer Joe Lavender, who wishes to convert the former Carolina Sportsman building at 642 Poole St. into self-storage, according to the source.

The amended zoning ordinance includes specific conditions for self-storage businesses including a provision requiring units be contained in only new or existing standalone buildings. It prohibits self-storage from being developed along major thoroughfares and forbids any other type of business from operating within the storage facility. The ordinance also bans all outdoor storage and “allows internal storage of personal property only,” the source reported.

Lavender’s proposal would limit storage units and their accessibility to the interior of the structure. Hartsville zoning previously excluded new construction of self-storage facilities with exterior unit access inside the city limits, according to senior planner Brenda Kelley.

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