Update 7/10/19 – The moratorium on new self-storage development in Woodland, Calif., has been extended several more times. The most recent unanimous vote, on July 2, pushed it out another 45 days as city officials continue to assess zoning parameters for the business type, a source reported.

An extension for an “interim urgency ordinance” was also passed and will remain in effect until May 20, 2020. The order aims to “protect the public health, safety, and welfare from an event separate and distinct from the circumstances that give rise to the interim zoning ordinance imposing a moratorium on all mini-storage facilities citywide,” Norris said.

The city has 17 self-storage facilities, including 10 in the industrial/light industrial overlay districts, five in the corridor mixed-use area and two in the regional commercial district. Officials have also received an application for building permits for a conversion project of an existing property on the northeast corner of Pioneer Avenue and Tide Court, and an application that was previously submitted for a new development on the southeast corner of Main Street and Matmor Road.

11/10/17 – Woodland officials have extended the city’s moratorium on self-storage development through December 2018. The Nov. 7 decision was made partially as a precaution, allowing planners to complete zoning changes that dictate where the city allows self-storage in the future. Though it’s possible those changes could still be complete by the end of this year as originally planned, Hiatt told the council the extension was advisable, according to the source.

No one spoke for or against the ban continuance during a public hearing, and the council passed it without debate, the source reported.

City staff has recommended two projects given administrative approval prior to the final adoption of the 2035 General Plan and council moratorium be allowed to proceed. Extra Self-Storage, which operates 11 facilities in Northern California and Northern Nevada, has received building permits for a property at 1425 Cannery Road. A Storequest Express project at 1610 Tide Court is already under construction.

7/21/17 – Woodland officials this week extended the original 45-day moratorium on self-storage development through Dec. 31, amounting to a ban of more than six months. Though officials speculated last month that the stay could ultimately be imposed for more than a year, Norris told the city council on Tuesday she expects staff to have completed the ordinance draft with new zoning codes by year-end.

6/12/17 – The Woodland, Calif., City Council passed a 45-day moratorium last week to prevent any new self-storage facilities from being developed while officials work on new zoning codes that will determine where future projects will be allowed. The development ban could last more than a year, however, because the city is working on a comprehensive zoning update to bring codes in compliance with the municipality’s 2035 General Plan, according to the source.

Principal planner Cindy Norris told the council the moratorium was needed due to several applications submitted to the city and the threat of oversaturation. There are 15 self-storage facilities in the Woodland market. Of those, eight are in an industrial district, four are along East Street, two are in a commercial district and one is in a commercial-service district, the source reported.

“In addition, the city currently has a number of either approved or proposed new mini-storage facilities,” Norris said in a written report. One application within the city has been permitted but hasn’t yet been built. Another project that is on county land but within the city’s “urban limit line” has also been permitted. A third application is in the pipeline but considered to be incomplete by officials, according to the source.

In her report, Norris warned officials that oversaturating the market with storage facilities could hurt local aesthetics and the economy. She also expressed concern that new projects could target gateway arterials into the city and reflect poorly on the city’s image.

The council settled on a 45-day moratorium, though councilmember Skip Davies suggested 180 days. Planning director Ken Hiatt indicated a longer stay would likely be needed and that he anticipated seeking a 12-month ban in July, the source reported.

City staff is working with a consultant to develop an interim zoning ordinance as well as the more comprehensive plan. Both will eventually be presented before the planning commission and council.

Sources:

Woodland Daily Democrat: Woodland's Mini-Storage Moratorium Continued Another Year
Woodland Daily Democrat: Mini-Storage Moratorium OK'd by Woodland Council
Woodland Daily Democrat: Woodland's Moratorium on Mini-Storage Units Continued Through December
Daily Democrat, Woodland Mini-Storage Moratorium Continues