The Miami Planning, Zoning & Appeals Board has recommended two ordinances that would restrict self-storage development within the city. Last week, it unanimously backed a measure that would prevent self-storage from being built within T5 and T6 mixed-use residential zones. In a 5-4 vote, the board also narrowly supported a 270-day moratorium on any new storage projects, pending a “comprehensive review.” Though the local commission must pass both ordinances for them to become law, the moratorium is already in effect, at least temporarily, due to the city’s zoning-in-progress law, according to the source.

Miami officials are concerned about a continued surge in self-storage development as well as incidents of illegal dumping, which have occurred near storage properties, according to Esteban Ferreiro, chief of staff for commissioner Manolo Reyes. They’ve also discussed requiring a “special warrant” for new self-storage projects targeted for D1 and D2 industrial districts, Amber Ketterer, assistant city attorney, told the source.

The outright ban on self-storage in T5 and T6 districts is an escalation of a 2017 measure that required 2,500 feet between facilities. The districts are designed for commercial buildings with residential and retail uses, though self-storage has been allowed in those areas, along with industrial zones. The 2017 move reinstated the same distance requirement, which had been removed in 2010.

Board member Alex Dominguez indicated consumer demand for self-storage is likely to increase as population rises. He questioned whether the moratorium was necessary and expressed concern existing operators would raise rates. “If only eight companies are doing it, and they know there’s no [other] competition, what’s to stop them from raising their prices? I just think it’s draconian to say no [new facilities] throughout the entire city. [Why not] in industrial areas? Why wait 270 days?”

No date was reported on when the city commission is likely to address the ordinances.

Source:
The Real Deal, Miami Board OKs Self-Storage Freeze