Elk Grove City Council unanimously approves two-year moratorium on new self-storage facilities
City staff asserts that self-storage facilities can conflict with Elk Grove's economic development goals
The Elk Grove City Council unanimously approved a two-year moratorium Wednesday night on new self-storage facility entitlements, temporarily halting approvals while city officials study whether additional restrictions should be imposed on the land-intensive businesses.
The Aug. 26 vote came after council members modified the proposed ordinance, which originally contained no expiration date. The change followed concerns raised by Councilmember Kevin Spease about approving an indefinite moratorium.
City officials said concerns have grown among council members, staff and residents about the number of self-storage facilities in Elk Grove. The city currently has 19 facilities within its boundaries and another four within two miles of the city. Two additional storage facilities, including an auto and vehicle storage facility, are under construction.
Another previously approved facility at the Calvine Pointe Shopping Center has not started construction and will not be affected by the moratorium. More broadly, projects with valid approved entitlements are exempt.
City staff argued that self-storage facilities can conflict with Elk Grove's economic development goals because they typically generate relatively few jobs, produce little economic activity and consume large parcels that could be used for housing or businesses producing employment and tax revenue. The staff report also described storage facilities as creating pedestrian "dead zones."
The moratorium discussion, however, shifted to its duration after Spease asked staff how long it would remain in effect.
Spease was told the proposed ordinance had no expiration date and would remain in effect until repealed or otherwise modified.
City Attorney Jonathan Hobbs explained that unlike an urgency moratorium, which is subject to relatively short statutory periods, the proposal before the council was a regular ordinance and therefore had no specified time limit.
Spease expressed reservations about that approach.
"I don't want to have a moratorium forever while we study it," he said, later adding that he had concerns about approving an "endless moratorium" without a deadline. He initially said he probably could not support the ordinance without a defined timeframe.
Development Services Manager Christopher Jordan said the city's next step would be to scope an analysis, probably using a consultant, to examine market demand and the concentration of storage facilities in Elk Grove compared with other jurisdictions. He said the work probably would not return to the council before spring and could take longer depending on other city priorities.
Other council members supported pausing approvals while the study is conducted.
Hobbs subsequently suggested inserting a firm expiration date, offering two years as one possibility. Spease agreed, saying a two-year limit provided "guardrails" against allowing the moratorium to continue indefinitely.
Jordan said two years would give staff enough time to complete its work, with the option to seek an extension if needed.
