Brentwood, California, Officials Implement Changes to Self-Storage ZoningBrentwood, California, Officials Implement Changes to Self-Storage Zoning

Update 11/15/24 - The Brentwood, California, City Council voted 4-1 on Nov. 12 to impose new design standards on future self-storage projects to regulate their development and expansion in the city. The updated rules are intended to improve the “limited aesthetic value” of this asset type while recognizing its importance, according to a source.

Prior to the vote, councilmembers Mendoza and Pierson suggested design standards like the city has for residential construction. Community development director Alexis Morris noted that city staff could explore more options, particularly with landscaping and architecture, the source reported.

Mayor Joel Bryant said that Brentwood's growth will likely lead to the construction of more apartment buildings, necessitating a need for more self-storage. These types of projects could also be the only viable option for certain commercial areas, he added. To minimize their impact, Bryant suggested that future self-storage developments be concentrated near existing sites to minimize their footprint on the city.

“I don’t want to see an overabundance of these [storage facilities],” Bryant said. “If you’re in an apartment ... there’s very little storage opportunities available.”

Sources:
City of Brentwood, Nov. 12 City Council Meeting
The Press, City Wants to Beautify Self-Storage Facilities 

Related:Old Lyme, CT, Officials Restrict Self-Storage Development to Single Industrial Zone

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Update 9/23/24 – The Brentwood, California, City Council is expected to discuss its zoning laws and how they apply to self-storage development at its meeting tomorrow. City staff support establishing clear criteria and a better definition of self-storage in the zoning code to regulate where it might be built, according to a source.

Currently, the Brentwood Municipal Code doesn’t have citywide development standards related to self-storage, which is permitted in commercial, industrial and planned-development zones. Without a definition, it has left the use open to potential consideration as a warehouse classification, according to a city staff memo.

Unless self-storage is permitted by right, city staff will recommend that developments be granted through a conditional-use permit, which will allow them and the planning commission to consider each application on a case-by-case basis. Specific conditions regarding site and building design, lot size, setbacks, landscaping, and other aspects can be mandated to ensure land-use compatibility.

In addition, clear design criteria would be established to regulate the expansion, addition and renovation of existing self-storage facilities within the zones. City staff would draft the criteria and present it to the planning department and council in early 2025, the memo stated.

Related:Cape Coral, FL, Halts Self-Storage Moratorium, Amends Development Guidelines Instead

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7/23/24 – Officials in Brentwood, California, are considering a moratorium on self-storage development. The city council and staff have asked the land-use committee to provide recommendations on potential new regulations for this type of real estate. The town currently has six facilities, according to a source.

“I want to ban them 100 percent,” said councilperson Jovita Mendoza. “I’ve been coming to council probably for 15 years asking them to ban them. I don’t think they add any value at all. We have plenty [of self-storage facilities]; they all have vacancies because I have called them because we store a lot of Halloween stuff.”

Perry Banner, principal planner with of De Novo Planning Group, gave a presentation to the land-use committee on industry demand in the area. “Self-storage facilities are having quite a day,” Banner said. “In fact, demand for self-storage facilities is very strong. At the moment, one in 10 U.S. households is now renting a self-storage facility.”

Related:Self-Storage Development Ordinance Passed by Morristown, TN, City Council

Councilperson Pa’tanisha Pierson doesn’t support a total restriction on self-storage but agreed the city doesn’t need any more. “I just hate when we do absolute bans in a city on something,” Pierson said. “I’m not advocating for more storage facilities. I do think that we need some design standards, without a doubt some regulatory language in place to maintain even the existing aesthetics.”

This discussion comes on the heels of a recent moratorium on self-storage in Toledo, Ohio, and a call for one by the mayor of Yonkers, New York.

Sources:
The Press, Brentwood Discusses Possible Ban on Self-Storage Units
Contra Costa News, Brentwood to Talk Alcohol Sales, Storage Units, and Drive-Throughs