Palm Bay, Florida, considers banning self-storage facilities and car washes

Officials in Palm Bay, Florida, are considering a six-month ban on the development of self-storage facilities and car washes. The council discussed the city’s Growth Management Department’s recommendation at its May 2 meeting, according to the source.

Council members heard the first reading of Ordinances 2024-08 and 2024-24, which would create a moratorium on self-storage and car wash developments, respectively. If the first solution is approved, self-storage will be prohibited west of and adjacent to Robert J. Conlan Boulevard. The 26.5-acre area south of Commerce Park Drive will transition from commercial use to neighborhood center use.

In late April, officials in Cape Coral, Fla., adopted a similar moratorium this measure is now in effect until April 17, 2025. In the meantime, city staff will conduct studies to determine what regulations are necessary to prevent overdevelopment in the area. Although many council members said they were in favor of property rights, they determined that a break on these types of businesses was necessary to protect the city’s planned growth.

Source: Palm Bay could ban construction of new car washes and self-storage units for 6 months