Update 3/15/22 – The moratorium that Maumee, Ohio, officials placed on self-storage permits, plans and applications earlier this year is set to expire on March 31. After assessing the city-code requirements during the three-month ban, the city mostly loosened the standards for self-storage projects, though officials did make roadway setbacks and aesthetic requirements more stringent, Mayor Carr told the source.

City administrator Patrick Burtch indicated changes to architectural-design requirements are becoming a common part of zoning in many municipalities. “The new wave is to do form-based code,” Burtch told the source.

1/5/22 – The Maumee, Ohio, City Council passed a temporary moratorium last week on applications, permits and plans for new self-storage projects. The pause will allow officials to review the city’s building codes and zoning laws, according to Mayor Rich Carr, who noted that there are no active applications for self-storage development or expansions at this time.

The moratorium does disrupt a possible expansion for A+ Self Storage, which planned to purchase the adjacent 7 acres at 919 Illinois Ave. The company acquired 8 acres at 909 Illinois Ave. five years ago from Jerry Sawicki, who also co-owns the vacant parcel. The deal was expected to close last week. Sawicki called the moratorium “underhanded and nontransparent,” according to the source.

“It’s unconscionable to spring this,” he said. “It’s wrong to deny us what is otherwise a permitted use under their own zoning code.”

Gene Abercrombie, the attorney representing all the landowners, told the source that although the moratorium is temporary, it could be extended. He also noted that health or safety reasons are typically why municipalities issue these kinds of suspensions. “They’ve really given us no reason for it,” he added.

The property owners were also dismayed that they were unable to speak before the city council voted on the measure during the Dec. 30 meeting. Steve Serchuk, one of the four landowners, called the absence of public input “criminal.” However, because it was deemed a special meeting, public comments weren’t required before the vote, Carr said. He added that the council has made “major changes to the building code in the past year and a half.”

In addition to its Maumee location, A+ operates a facility in Columbus and Toledo, Ohio. It offers climate-controlled and drive-up units as well as outdoor vehicle storage.

Sources:
The Blade, Maumee Moratorium on Self-Storage Units to Expire
The Blade, Maumee Passes Moratorium on New Storage Facilities, Hires Law Director