Jan 27, 2021
Augusta, Maine, city officials are considering whether to allow new self-storage development in two zoning districts. Though there isn’t yet a proposal for either area, the move would enable vacant retail buildings in the Civic Center District and Regional Business District to be converted to storage as a conditional use, according to the source. Indoor self-storage, which isn’t addressed in the city’s current zoning, would also be allowed.
“This is something that has come up a number of times in the past few years, with respect to some of the larger retail locations that are having trouble being filled,” Matt Nazar, development director, recently told city councilmembers. “And one of the potential uses for a portion of those existing retail spaces is for indoor self-storage units; basically, cutting some of those spaces up into individual self-storage spaces. It may end up providing some level of use in some of these commercial facilities that couldn’t,
Augusta considers self-storage businesses for vacant retail spaces
Storage businesses are not allowed now in two of the city s largest retail shopping areas.
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The building formerly occupied by Sears at the Turnpike Mall in Augusta. Sears moved out of the site in 2017.
Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal
AUGUSTA As stores lose sales to online shopping, leaving many retail spaces vacant, Augusta officials are considering allowing self-storage businesses in two zoning districts that include the city’s two largest retail shopping areas.
The proposal from city staff members, recommended by the Planning Board, would allow self-storage businesses as conditional uses in two zoning districts the Civic Center District and Regional Business District where they are not allowed now.