Officials in Lexington, South Carolina, are taking steps to limit self-storage development in the town’s commercial districts. During a Jan. 18 council meeting, members expressed their support for a zoning proposal that would limit storage to industrial zones, according to the source.

The change would move self-storage away from the downtown area and closer to Interstate 20, which stretches along the town’s southern border. Existing facilities wouldn’t be affected. The zoning modification is designed to reserve land and vacant buildings for retail and other businesses that would provide jobs, the source reported.

“We’re just trying to protect what we have here as a center of commerce, for our community,” said Jack Stuart, town economic developer. Lexington has nine operating self-storage facilities and two under development, including a Kmart conversion on West Main Street.

The proposal will next be reviewed by the town planning commission.

Source: Post and Courier, Lexington May Halt Spread of Storage Units by Rewriting Zoning Rules