ORDINANCE NO._2025-

AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT A TEMPORARY DEFERRAL CONCERNING SELF-SERVICE STORAGE FACILITIES IN THE FREEDOM DESIGNATED GROWTH AREA OF CARROLL COUNTY UNTIL MARCH 18, 2026, PENDING CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF SUCH LEGISLATION AS THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF CARROLL COUNTY, MARYLAND MAY CONSIDER ADVISABLE TO PROMOTE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE.

            WHEREAS, The Board of Commissioners of Carroll County, Maryland (“the Board”), has enacted and codified the "Code of Public Local Laws and Ordinances of Carroll County, Maryland"; and

            WHEREAS, the Board is authorized under the Local Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland to enact and amend ordinances; and        

            WHEREAS, the Board desires to review existing requirements for self-service storage facilities in light of changing technology, changing consumer demand, and changes to existing infrastructure in the County to evaluate their suitability and economic, social and environmental risks; and

            WHEREAS, to advance the public health and safety, the Board desires to obtain additional information regarding the possible adverse effects self-service storage facilities proposed have on residential and other uses; and

            WHEREAS, the Planning Commission and Staff need additional time to finalize a recommendation, and the Board of County Commissioners then needs the time to have the required public hearing and possibly adopt a zoning text amendment to address this matter; and

            WHEREAS, the Board desires to impose a three (3) month deferral on the final approval of self-service storage facilities in the Freedom Designated Growth Area, to give the Planning Commission and County staff time to study the matter in connection with enactment of legislation on this subject however, projects may continue to be submitted for review and processing to the County but may be subject to any amendments to any portion of the Carroll County Code of Ordinances.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED by the Board that Title XV Land Use Chapter 158.158.1 – Temporary Deferral on Self-Service Storage Facilities in the Freedom Designated Growth Area is added as follows:

ARTICLE I

Self-Service Storage Facilities – Temporary Deferral

There shall be a temporary deferral on the final approval of all self-service storage facilities in the Freedom Designated Growth Area as defined in § 158.002 of the Code for a period of three (3) months starting with the effective date of this Ordinance. However, such projects submitted as of the effective date of this Ordinance may continue to be reviewed and processed by the County up to but not including final approval but may be subject to any amendments to any zoning, subdivision, or other portions of the Carroll County Code of Ordinances made during the deferral period.

ARTICLE II. SEVERABLITY.

            Should any provision, section, paragraph, or subparagraph of this ordinance, including any code, or text adopted herby, be declared null and void, illegal, unconstitutional, or otherwise determined to be unenforceable by a court having jurisdiction; the same shall not affect the validity, legality, or enforceability of any other provision, section, paragraph or subparagraph hereof, including any code or text adopted hereby. Each such provision, section, paragraph, or subparagraph is expressly declared to be and is deemed severable.