3.7 Self Storage Uses
Request for
City Council Action
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT REQUESTOR: MEETING DATE:
Planning City Planner Licht 13 December 2021
PRESENTER(s) REVIEWED BY: ITEM #:
Consent City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty
3.7 – Self Storage
STRATEGIC VISION
MEETS: THE CITY OF OTSEGO:
Is a strong organization that is committed to leading the community through innovative
communication.
Has proactively expanded infrastructure to responsibly provide core services.
Is committed to delivery of quality emergency service responsive to community needs and
expectations in a cost-effective manner.
X Is a social community with diverse housing, service options, and employment opportunities.
Is a distinctive, connected community known for its beauty and natural surroundings.
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff recommends adoption of an ordinance to define and regulate self-storage uses.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT? IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
No
Yes, held by Planning Commission 15 November 2021
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
City staff has been fielding numerous inquiries regarding potential locations for mini-storage uses to
develop within the City. So as to preserve locations with high visibility to TH 101 for uses with potential
employment opportunities and adjacent to existing or planned commercial areas, the Administrative
Subcommittee directed initiation of an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to define mini-storage
facilities as a specific use and limit the location of such facilities to industrial districts.
Definition. The proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment defines mini-storage facilities as two distinct
uses. The first is the traditional self-storage facility consisting of a building having individual spaces for rent
or lease that are accessed directly via individual exterior doors. The second type of facility, which is
becoming more common, is a fully enclosed building where the individual spaces that are rented or leased
are accessed only from the interior of the building via individual doors.
Zoning District. The Zoning Ordinance currently regulates mini-storage facilities as warehouses, which is a
permitted use within the B-4, I-1, I-2, and I-3 Districts. The proposed zoning ordinance amendment would
allow uses defined as self storage facilities as follows:
District Self-Storage
Facility
Self-Storage
Facility, Interior
B4, Office Warehouse Not allowed Not allowed
I1, Limited Industrial Not allowed Conditional use
I2, General Industrial Conditional use Conditional use
I3, Special Industrial Conditional use Conditional use
The exclusion of self-storage facilities from the B-4 District is meant to preserve these areas guided on the
future land use plan for development of smaller office, manufacturing, assembly, or warehouse uses
constructed with high-amenity exterior finishes and lot improvements that typically involve number of
employees, including high-wage positions. P&F Machining, located within a B-4 District is representative
of this type of use.
We also recommend that the I-1 District be limited to interior self-storage facilities. This type of facility is
more characteristic of the large scale, enclosed warehouse uses intended for development within the I-1
District. The development of the industrial buildings within the Gateway North Industrial Park are
examples of the character of development planned for the industrial areas designated by the Future Land
Use Plan map along TH 101.
Performance Standards: In addition to general requirements that apply to development of any use within
the respective zoning districts, the proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment includes the following
performance standards for self-storage facilities:
▪ Buildings are to be limited to 300 feet in width/length to ensure adequate fire access.
▪ Drive aisle abutting individual exterior storage space doors are to be a minimum of 28 feet
wide to allow unloading at the building and maintain a fire access lane.
▪ Drive aisles for interior self-storage facilities are to be a minimum of 24 feet wide separate
of loading areas used to access the interior of the building.
▪ Outdoor storage and parking areas are limited to 30 percent of the lot area, must comply
with principal building setbacks, must be paved with perimeter curb, and must be
screened from residential properties and public rights-of-way.
▪ Off-street parking stalls are required only for ancillary office or retail uses.
▪ Landscaping is required at the perimeter of the property and the facilities must be
screened from any abutting residential districts.
▪ Fences must be installed inside of the required landscape areas and gates must be setback 50 feet
from the public right-of-way at the site entrance to ensure that vehicles waiting at the gate do not
obstruct traffic on the public street.
Public Hearing. A public hearing to consider the proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments was held by the
Planning Commission on 15 November 2021. There were no public comments. The Planning Commission
concurred with the recommendations as to allowance of self-storage within the various zoning districts.
The public hearing was closed and the Planning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval of the
ordinance amendment as proposed.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
▪ Ordinance 2021-25
▪ Summary of Ordinance 2021-25
POSSIBLE MOTION
PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES:
Motion to adopt Ordinance 2021-25 amending the Zoning Ordinance to define and regulate self-storage
uses and authorize publication in summary form.
BUDGET INFORMATION
FUNDING: BUDGETED:
N/A
N/A
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ORDINANCE NO.: 2021-25
CITY OF OTSEGO
COUNTY OF WRIGHT, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO DEFINE AND REGULATE SELF STORAGE USES.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO DOES HEREBY ORDAIN:
Section 1. Section 11-2-2 of the Zoning Ordinance (Definitions) is hereby amended to add the
following definitions:
SELF STORAGE FACILITY: A facility containing separate and private individual spaces of varying sizes leased
or rented only for the storage of personal property where and individual renter or leasee control and
access an individual space via its own access door; the facility may also include ancillary activities such as
a facility office, retail sales of moving supplies, and/or rental of moving vehicles and trailers.
SELF STORAGE FACILITY, INDOOR: A fully enclosed building that is climate controlled containing separate
and private individual spaces of varying sizes leased or rented only for the storage of personal property
where and individual renter or leasee control and access an individual space via its own access door that
is interior to the building and not directly accessed via an exterior door; the facility may also include
ancillary activities such as a facility office, retail sales of moving supplies, and/or rental of moving vehicles
and trailers.
Section 2. Section 11-21-8 of the Zoning Ordinance (Off-Street Parking – Number of Required
Stalls) is hereby amended to add the following provisions:
Commercial/industrial:
Self storage and self storage, interior
facilities
No stalls shall be required for the area of individual
storage areas; 1 stall per 250 square feet of floor area for
office or retail sales to be separate from designated
loading areas.
Section 3. Section 11-78-6.A of the Zoning Ordinance (B-4 District; Conditional Uses) is hereby
amended to read as follows:
A. Assembly, manufacturing, compounding, machining, packaging, treatment or indoor storage of
products and materials, not including self-storage uses, provided that:
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1. The proposed use complies with the performance standards outlined in chapter 16 of
this title.
2. No outside storage is associated with the use.
Section 4. Section 11-85-2.P of the Zoning Ordinance (I-1 District; Permitted Uses) is hereby
amended to read as follows:
P. Warehousing, including self-storage facilities.
Section 5. Section 11-85-6 of the Zoning Ordinance (I-1 District; Conditional Uses) is hereby
amended to add the following provisions with subsequent sections renumbered accordingly:
H. Self Storage Facilities (Interior), provided that:
1. Architectural Standards:
a. The length of any individual building(s) shall not exceed three hundred (300) feet
between intersecting drive aisles to ensure emergency access.
b. The architectural appearance, scale, and functional plan of the building(s) shall
be complementary and compatible with each other and that all sides of the
structures are to have essentially the same or a coordinated harmonious finish
treatment pursuant to Section 11-17-4 of this title.
2. Access:
a. The site plan shall illustrate adequate turning radius, including access for
emergency vehicles, using appropriate engineering templates.
b. The minimum width for drive aisles abutting exterior loading areas to the interior
of the building shall be twenty-eight feet (28’).
3. Landscaping: At the boundaries of the lot, the following landscape areas in compliance
with section 11-19-2 of this title shall be required:
a. An area of not less than ten feet (10') wide from side or rear lot lines.
b. An area of not less than fifteen feet (15') wide from all public-rights-of-way.
c. Where a lot abuts a residential district, a buffer yard of not less than twenty feet
(20') wide shall be required in compliance with Section 11-19-3 of this title.
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4. Fencing:
a. Fences installed at the perimeter of the site for security and to restrict
access shall be to the interior of the site from the landscape areas
required by Section 11-85-6.H.3 of this section and shall conform to
Section 11-21-5 of this title.
b. A minimum stacking distance of fifty feet (50’) shall be maintained from
a gated entrance to the site from the public right-of-way and shall not
obstruct visibility for vehicles entering the public street, subject to
approval of the city engineer.
5. Outside Storage: No outside storage shall be allowed, except as follows:
a. Areas for outdoor storage shall be clearly indicated on the site plan and
reviewed at the time of application for a conditional use permit.
b. No outdoor storage shall be allowed outside of those areas so designated
on the approved site plan without approval of an amended conditional
use permit.
c. The area devoted to outdoor storage shall not exceed thirty (30) percent
of the gross floor area of the principal building(s).
d. All outdoor storage shall be located upon a concrete or asphalt surface
with perimeter concrete curb and shall not encroach into any required
principal building setback, required parking stall, drive aisle, or otherwise
impede site circulation.
e. All outdoor storage shall be screened from abutting residential properties
and the public right-of-way in compliance with Chapter 11-19-3 of this
title.
Section 6. Section 11-86-2.O of the Zoning Ordinance (I-2 District; Permitted Uses) is hereby
amended to read as follows:
O. Warehousing, including self-storage facilities.
Section 7. Section 11-86-6 of the Zoning Ordinance (I-2 District; Conditional Uses) is hereby
amended to add the following provisions with subsequent sections renumbered accordingly:
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L. Self Storage Facilities and Self Storage Facilities (Interior), provided that:
1. Architectural Standards:
a. The length of any individual building(s) shall not exceed three hundred (300) feet
between intersecting drive aisles to ensure emergency access.
b. The architectural appearance, scale, and functional plan of the building(s) shall
be complementary and compatible with each other and that all sides of the
structures are to have essentially the same or a coordinated harmonious finish
treatment pursuant to Section 11-17-4 of this title.
2. Access:
a. The site plan shall illustrate adequate turning radius, including access for
emergency vehicles, using appropriate engineering templates.
b. The minimum width for drive aisles providing exterior access to individual storage
units shall be twenty-eight feet (28’).
3. Landscaping: At the boundaries of the lot, the following landscape areas in compliance
with section 11-19-2 of this title shall be required:
a. An area of not less than ten feet (10') wide from side or rear lot lines.
b. An area of not less than fifteen feet (15') wide from all public-rights-of-way.
c. Where a lot abuts a residential district, a buffer yard of not less than twenty feet
(20') wide shall be required in compliance with section 11-19-3 of this title.
4. Fencing:
a. Fences installed at the perimeter of the site for security and to restrict
access shall be to the interior of the site from the landscape areas
required by Section 11-85-6.H.3 of this section and shall conform to
Section 11-21-5 of this title.
b. A minimum stacking distance of fifty feet (50’) shall be maintained from
a gated entrance to the site from the public right-of-way and shall not
obstruct visibility for vehicles entering the public street, subject to
approval of the city engineer.
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5. Outside Storage: No outside storage shall be allowed, except as follows:
a. Areas for outdoor storage shall be clearly indicated on the site plan and
reviewed at the time of application for a conditional use permit.
b. No outdoor storage shall be allowed outside of those areas so designated
on the approved site plan without approval of an amended conditional
use permit.
c. The area devoted to outdoor storage shall not exceed thirty (30) percent
of the gross floor area of the principal building(s).
d. All outdoor storage shall be located upon a concrete or asphalt surface
with perimeter concrete curb and shall not encroach into any required
principal building setback, required parking stall, drive aisle, or otherwise
impede site circulation.
e. All outdoor storage shall be screened from abutting residential properties
and the public right-of-way in compliance with Chapter 11-19-3 of this
title.
Section 8. Section 11-87-6 of the Zoning Ordinance (I-3 District; Conditional Uses) is hereby
amended to add the following provisions with subsequent sections renumbered accordingly:
F. Self Storage Facilities and Self Storage Facilities (Interior), provided that:
1. Architectural Standards:
a. The length of any individual building(s) shall not exceed three hundred (300) feet
between intersecting drive aisles to ensure emergency access.
b. The architectural appearance, scale, and functional plan of the building(s) shall
be complementary and compatible with each other and that all sides of the
structures are to have essentially the same or a coordinated harmonious finish
treatment pursuant to Section 11-17-4 of this title.
2. Access:
a. The site plan shall illustrate adequate turning radius, including access for
emergency vehicles, using appropriate engineering templates.
b. The minimum width for drive aisles providing exterior access to individual storage
units shall be twenty-eight feet (28’).
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3. Landscaping: At the boundaries of the lot, the following landscape areas in compliance
with section 11-19-2 of this title shall be required:
a. An area of not less than ten feet (10') wide from side or rear lot lines.
b. An area of not less than fifteen feet (15') wide from all public-rights-of-way.
c. Where a lot abuts a residential district, a buffer yard of not less than twenty feet
(20') wide shall be required in compliance with Section 11-19-3 of this title.
4. Fencing:
a. Fences installed at the perimeter of the site for security and to restrict
access shall be to the interior of the site from the landscape areas
required by Section 11-85-6.H.3 of this section and shall conform to
Section 11-21-5 of this title.
b. A minimum stacking distance of fifty feet (50’) shall be maintained from
a gated entrance to the site from the public right-of-way and shall not
obstruct visibility for vehicles entering the public street, subject to
approval of the city engineer.
5. Outside Storage: No outside storage shall be allowed, except as follows:
a. Areas for outdoor storage shall be clearly indicated on the site plan and
reviewed at the time of application for a conditional use permit.
b. No outdoor storage shall be allowed outside of those areas so designated
on the approved site plan without approval of an amended conditional
use permit.
c. The area devoted to outdoor storage shall not exceed thirty (30) percent
of the gross floor area of the principal building(s).
d. All outdoor storage shall be located upon a concrete or asphalt surface
with perimeter concrete curb and shall not encroach into any required
principal building setback, required parking stall, drive aisle, or otherwise
impede site circulation.
e. All outdoor storage shall be screened from abutting residential properties
and the public right-of-way in compliance with Chapter 11-19-3 of this
title.
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Section 9. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage and publication.
MOTION BY:
SECOND BY:
ALL IN FAVOR:
THOSE OPPOSED:
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Otsego this 13th day of December, 2021.
CITY OF OTSEGO
BY:_____________________________
Jessica L. Stockamp, Mayor
ATTEST:______________________________
Audra Etzel, City Clerk
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SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO.: 2021-25
CITY OF OTSEGO
COUNTY OF WRIGHT, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO DEFINE AND REGULATE SELF STORAGE USES.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on December 13, 2021, Ordinance 2021-25 was adopted by the
City Council of the City of Otsego, Minnesota.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the ordinance adopted by the City Council amends Zoning
Ordinance related to the definition and regulation of self storage facilities within the various zoning
districts.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Otsego this 13th day of December, 2021.
CITY OF OTSEGO
BY: Jessica L. Stockamp, Mayor
ATTEST: Audra Etzel, City Clerk
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 412.191, Subd. 4 and 331A.01, Subd.10, this Ordinance is published in
summary form. Complete copies of the ordinance are available for inspection by contacting the City Clerk,
Otsego City Hall, 13400 90th Street NE, Otsego, Minnesota 55330 during regular office hours.