Rossland poised to allow indoor self-storage in C-1 downtown zone
ROSSLAND — Rossland city council will consider allowing indoor self-storage throughout the city's Downtown Core commercial zone Monday, with rules intended to keep storage units from replacing street-level storefronts.
Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2872 is scheduled for third reading and adoption at council's Oct. 5 meeting. The amendment arose from an application involving 1990 Columbia Avenue, but would change the allowable uses across properties zoned C-1 Commercial Downtown Core rather than applying only to that address.
The amendment would add indoor self-storage to Rossland's definition of a downtown commercial use. Storage would have to be contained entirely within a building and could not occupy street-level commercial frontage except for an access door. Storage space could be located behind street-facing commercial space or on floors above or below it.
The proposed definition covers indoor rental storage units or rooms used for non-hazardous personal property and goods. Outdoor storage and storage of vehicles, boats, recreational vehicles and hazardous materials would not be included.
City planning staff said the change is consistent with the Official Community Plan's Downtown Core designation, which is intended to accommodate a range of commercial and other uses while maintaining the area as Rossland's main shopping, business, tourism, cultural and social centre.
Council gave the amendment first and second readings Aug. 10. A public hearing was held Sept. 8, and according to the report going to council Monday, the city received no comments on the application, including from neighbouring properties.
The amendment also required approval from the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit because the affected zoning is within a provincial controlled area associated with a controlled-access highway. The city says that approval has now been received.
If council gives the bylaw third reading and adopts it Monday, the new rules will take effect upon adoption.
The change would provide a route for the proposed use at 1990 Columbia Avenue, but its effect would extend beyond the original application. Other properties within the C-1 Downtown Core zone could also accommodate indoor self-storage where the zoning requirements are met, while indoor self-storage would not be permitted to occupy street-level commercial frontage except for an access door.
Rossland city council will consider allowing indoor self-storage throughout the city's Downtown Core commercial zone Monday, with rules intended to keep storage units from replacing street-level storefronts.