RESTRICTIONS EYED FOR STORAGE BUSINESSES.

Byline: Heather MacDonald Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - The City Council is poised to adopt an ordinance that would prevent more self-storage facilities beside Santa Clarita's main roads.

The council unanimously rejected the ordinance four months ago after several self-storage facility owners complained the new rules would hurt their businesses and reduce the value of their properties.

``We were sensitive to their concerns, but the new requirements are appropriate and fair,'' said Councilman Bob Kellar, who spearheaded the initiative and has described the facilities as a blight on local neighborhoods and a hindrance to economic development.

Under the ordinance, such facilities will be limited to industrial and commercial areas of the city, shielded from the city's main thoroughfares, and the developers will be required to obtain a restrictive conditional use permit from the Santa Clarita Planning Commission.

``That is an onerous, expensive and time-consuming process,'' said Ted Doniguian, part-owner of Private Mini Storage Ltd. ``The laws already in place take care of all of the concerns.''

The proposed new rules also call for more attractive architectural design and more landscaping around the storage facilities as part of the city's beautification plan.

There are 43 self-storage and moving businesses in the Santa Clarita Valley, and most are located on the city's major thoroughfares, such as San Fernando Road and Lyons Avenue, records show.

Santa Clarita planning officials, along with Kellar and Councilwoman Laurene Weste, have met with business owners on several occasions to discuss the proposed rules, which will apply only to new storage facilities or old ones being significantly expanded.