New Hope Votes to Limit Self-Storage Development

The New Hope City Council approved an ordinance change for zoning self-storage developments. Instead of developments being allowed in commercial and industrial zones, they are now zoned for business warehouse districts.

“What we are seeing is a loss of employment opportunities,” said council member Jonathan London. “Because I think if we were to look and see the number of employees that work at these buildings, it’s very few. It’s a fraction of what used to occupy these buildings.”

Self-storage units and developments have popped up around the nation, serving a growing number of downsizing baby boomers. There are eight self-storage facilities in New Hope. Often, commercial and industrial spaces are converted into self-storage units.

The New Hope city council approved an ordinance change allowing these facilities only in business warehouse districts, as a way of limiting where future self-storage facilities could go.

The ordinance change did pass through the council and is effective immediately. To listen to the full discussion, click here.

Some cities, like Coon Rapids, have gone as far as placing moratoriums on self-storage development.

New Hope