Self-Storage Development Restrictions Considered in Central Falls, RI

Officials in Central Falls, Rhode Island, are considering an ordinance amendment that would place new limits on self-storage and warehouse development. Under the measure, self-storage would be denied as a by-right use in all zoning districts, though warehousing and self-storage could still be allowed with a special-use permit within commercial-downtown, general-commercial, industrial and heavy-industrial districts. Projects without “open storage” would not need to obtain a special permit in M-1 industrial zones, according to the source.

Robert Ferri, city council president, is sponsoring the revisions and indicated the move was spurred in part by recent actions in nearby cities Pawtucket, which is considering similar restrictions, and Providence, which in July enacted a self-storage development ban in some zones.

“We don’t have a lot of room,” Ferri told the source. “Buildings that exist are being renovated for storage, but we think they could be better used.”

The city council is expected to consider a first passage of the amendment at its next meeting, though the measure must undergo three passages before being finalized, the source reported.

Source: The Valley Breeze, Central Falls Council Introduces Law Banning Storage Facilities